Quilt Block of the Month Wrap Up: How to Assemble Your Quilt

Now that the Block of the Month is complete, it is time to turn that quilt top into a quilt.  Here is a quick rundown of the steps to assemble the quilt layers, quilt them, and add the binding.  

1.  Prepare the Backing

Choose the fabric for the quilt back.  The backing should be 4"-6" larger than the quilt top, meaning 2"-3" of backing should extend past each of the edges of the quilt top.  While quilting, the fabric can be "pulled" in some.  If the backing is the exact size as the quilt top, when the quilting is complete you may find the backing is actually smaller than the quilt top.  More backing is better.

Use masking tape to tape the backing right side down.  Tape it tight and smooth, but not so tight as to distort the fabric.  If there are any seams in the backing, pull tight along the seams and tape in place.  This will help keep them straight when quilting.

2.  Assemble the Layers

Once the backing is taped down, add a layer of quilt batting and trim to the size of the backing.  Then center the quilt top on top of the batting (right side up) and smooth out any wrinkles.  Make sure the seams are straight and neat and start pinning.  Use safety pins to baste the three layers together and pin every 3" - 5".

Quick Tip*
Press the quilt top and backing with a hot iron and spray starch prior to assembling the layers.  Spray the starch on the wrong side to prevent starch build up.  The starch helps to give the fabric some body and stiffness and aids in preventing tucks and pulls when machine quilting.  It really makes a difference!!

3.  Quilt the layers 

Three options for quilting are: free motion quilting, straight line quilting (using a walking foot), or hand quilting.  This part is all personal preference.  Quilt it however you like, use your imagination and have fun.

Quick Tips for Machine Quilting*

*Roll up the excess quilt to help make it easier to move around under the arm of the sewing machine.

*Stitch length is a matter of personal preference, but a longer stitch length of 3 - 3.5 is a more relaxed stitch and doesn't pinch the fabric as much as the smaller stitches.  Start quilting with a 1.0 stitch for several stitches to lock in the quilting and then increase the size to the preferred stitch length.  When finished quilting, reduce the stitch length back to 1.0 and stitch several stitches to lock in the final stitches.  This will prevent the ends from unraveling.

4.  Prepare for Binding

When the quilting is complete, use a ruler and a rotary cutter to trim the edges and square up the corners.

5.  Prepare the Binding

For the length of binding needed, measure and add up all four sides of the completed quilt and add 25 inches to the total.

6.  Attach the Binding

Start sewing the binding on the bottom side about 1/3 of the way in.  Leave about 10"-12" of extra binding loose before starting and backstitch at the start.  Prevent the layers from shifting by using a walking foot.

   

7.  Closing up the Ends

Sew the strips together as demonstrated by the line below.

8.  Blind Stitch the Binding to the Back of the Quilt

Now your all finished!  Congratulations and enjoy your new quilt!

Candace

SaltwaterQuilts.com

October Block-of-the-Month

Here it is! The final block in our Block-of-the-Month feature. You'll remember that we showed two blocks in both July and August. Join us next month as we put it all together and prepare for quilting.

This month's block is presented by Agnes:

This Arrow Block is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek "…to be continued…" message at the end of our BOM quilt.  I certainly hope there will be many more to follow!  The inspiration and basic proportions came from Anita at Bloomin' Workshop.  Her arrow was a 6-inch block, so I increased it to 12 inches.

For Easy to Print Instructions: Click HERE

INSTRUCTIONS:

Materials Needed:

Two contrasting fabrics

Cutting Your Fabric:

Fabric A: (the arrow)
A1.  Cut one 7" x 8"
A2.  Cut one 6" x 13"

Fabric B: (background)
B1.  Cut two 4" x 8"
B2.  Cut two 7" x 7"

Sewing it Together:

1.  Sew together on the 8-inch sides, B1 on each side of A1. Press towards the darker color.

2.  Place each B2 background piece with RIGHT sides facing on the A2 arrow head piece.

3.  Line up corner to the right.  The background piece will be about an inch longer on the left. 

4.  Trace a line from the upper left corner (where the two fabrics meet), to the lower right corner. Sew on traced line. 

5. Trim 1/4-inch from stitching and press towards darker color. 

6. Repeat steps 2-5 on the other side.

7. Trim the arrow head piece to get a straight line (about 1/4-inch).

8.  Find and pin the center of both pieces. Sew together with a 1/4-inch seam. Press towards the stem of the arrow.

9.  Place 12.5-inch square ruler over block (or use the grids on your cutting mat) and trim block to 12.5 inches square.

Done!

Don't forget to show us your block on our Flickr page!

September Block-of-the-Month

Summer is quickly coming to an end and so is our Block-of-the-Month.  If you've fallen behind with your blocks, now's a great time to get back into the swing of things with school back in session.  Even with my son out of school, September always feels like a time to get reorganized and back in the groove.

September's block is present to us by Melissa!  (I have this quilt on my Pinterest board, so I'm happy to see how to make it!)

Mad as a Hatter

This is the Mad as a Hatter block from Elaine at Messy Goat.  

For easy to print instructions: Click HERE.

Cutting It Out:

Materials needed are:

Light solid (white)

Bright solids (4 different colors)

To make this block, you will actually have to make four blocks to get the combination.

1.  From the black and white fabric:

Begin by cutting two 6.5 inch squares from black and two 6.5 inch squares from white.

2.  Next cut a 3.5 inch WOF (width of fabric) from each black and white, then sub-cut four 13.5 inch pieces and four 7.5 inch pieces.

3.  From the various colors:

Cut a 1 inch WOF strip of each color, then sub-cut two 6.5 inch pieces and two 7.5 inch pieces.  Do this for all four various colors.

Piecing Instructions

1.  Begin by sewing two 6.5 inch strips to each side of the solid squares, use a ¼ inch seam allowance and press seams open.

2.  Next, sew the 7.5 inch strips to the squares with the same color.

3.  After this, you are going to sew the 7.5 inch pieces of the OPPOSITE color to the outsides of the bright colors.  For instance, if the block has white inside, you will sew black around the outside.  After this, you will sew the 13.5 inch strips to the remaining sides of the block.

   

4.  Now we will do a ‘wonky cut’.  On each corner of the blocks, you will need to measure five inches in from the bottom right corner.  Mark with a very small dot at the bottom.  Rotate your blocks and repeat so that all four sides will have a mark.  Do this for all four blocks.  

5.  Next you will use your rotary cutter and ruler.  Match the edges of your ruler to the small dots.  You will see that your ruler is going slightly to the left.  Use your rotary cutter and cut along your ruler.  Be careful to keep everything in place and rotate your cutting mat so that you can make your next cut.  Below is what your block will look like after making two cuts.

6.  Now you will take one piece from each block, making sure that you alternate black and white being on the inside/outside.  Pin carefully, so that all seams will match up and sew the block together.  Press your seams open and trim to 12.5 inches square.

Join us in October for out last block.  We're almost there!

August Block-of-the-Month

Once again, we have two blocks for you this month!

August Block-of-the-Month #1:

Hi, this is Kristine. I blog occasionally at My House Full. This block is of my own design. Enjoy. Any children's artwork you notice is a bonus.

Chevron Block

For easy to print instructions: CLICK HERE.

CUTTING IT OUT:

Fabric requirements may vary, but I used the majority of:

4 strips 2" x WOF (44")

1 strip 1.5" x WOF

1 strip 1" x WOF

Be sure to trim off the selvages. :)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Decide if you want to follow a specific pattern, or have a random order. Chose a fabric to start on the bottom.

2.  Sew together at a right angle. Press seam up. Trim straight across the bottom. Check to make sure it is square - whatever the angle is here, it will continue through the whole block. Trim as necessary.

3.  Add the second layer. I did right over left. So I added on the left side, then the right. Until you reach 7" wide, line up raw edge on top, and sew down. Center your ruler at 3.5" and trim on the side. Repeat with the same fabric, adding to the right side.

4.  Once you reach 7" wide, add from the outside towards the point. If desired, mark 3.5" from the middle on each side. Starting each color on the left, overlap your mark a little, sewing towards the point. Press the seam up, and trim even with the raw edge. Repeat with the same fabric on the right side. Continue with each fabric, in the pattern you have chosen, until the edge measures more than 24.5".

5.  I find a 12.5" square ruler is helpful for this step. Centering the points at the 3 1/4 line, cut a block 6.5"x12.5". Make sure all sides are square. Sew the two pieces together.

The seams won't match - they aren't supposed to!

Our second block is presented by Angie

August Block-of-the-Month #2

4 Diamonds Block

For easy to print instructions: CLICK HERE.

CUTTING THE FABRIC:

TWO 3 7/8” squares of 8 different fabrics

(or FOUR 3 7/8” squares of 4 different fabrics

or even EIGHT - 3 7/8” squares, depending on how you want the layout to look)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  My preferred method for making half square triangles is to put my two chosen squares right sides together, draw a line down the center of the squares then stitch a scant ¼” seam on either side of the line.  Cut the block in half on the drawn line, press the blocks open, and trim down to 3.5”.

Whatever method you prefer, you need to end up with 16 half square triangles measuring 3.5” each.

2.  Make sure you match up the same fabrics on at least two of your sets of half square triangles so you will be able to form a diamond. 

3.  After arranging your triangles into the design you want, sew them together into sets of four, completing your triangles.  

4.  After all 4 triangles have been assembled, sew them together and press. 

I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!  

Thanks Kristine and Angie! Two more block and our quilt will be complete. 

See you next month!

July Block-of-the-Month: 2 for 1

In the hopes of having a completed quilt by the end of the year, we have 2 blocks for you this month!

First up is a block from Ann.

This is the Modern Movement Block by Letty at Happy Dance Quilting, which was offered as a free download from Craftsy.

July Block of the Month #1:

This is a straight-forward Half-Square Triangle (HST) pattern.

For easy to print instructions: CLICK HERE

CUTTING IT OUT:

Start out with four main colors (which comprise 3/4 of the pattern) and then choose a lighter (or darker) tone in the same color range. The designer specifies 1/8 yard of each color and one Fat Quarter (FQ) for the background. Because I would only need a maximum of two 3-7/8" x 3-7/8" squares from the colors, I used scraps from previously cut on FQs.

On the heels of our 'Moore Love' raffle quilt that used our logo colors, I carried that scheme into this month's BOM. This included using low volume prints for the background. 

After the fact, I realized it would have been much simpler using ONE pattern/solid for the entire background, and highly recommend it.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Cut out all 3-7/8" x 3/7/8" squares:

     (a) 2 from each color.

     (b) 1 from each color variation.

     (c) 8 from your background fabric.

I used my adjustable Westalee ruler to cut my 3-7/8" squares. It's one of my favorite tools.

2.  Cut each of the squares in half, diagonally.

Wrong side of each of the four backgrounds shown with each set of colors.

3.  Arrange the triangles following the original pattern. Here are some background options I played with using the four patterns, and also, white. 

The lower left one is the one described here.

4.  The HSTs are sewn together and then into four rows.  Following the layout and working with 2 HSTs at a time, sew two HSTs RIGHT sides together along that long diagonal edge you cut. 

5.  Press open units. I did so in a manner that let me nest the seams once they were assembled.

(Frixion pens are now available as re-tractables!) 

6.  Sew four rows of units together to make completed block.

You will use all of the background pieces have eight HSTs [one light and one medium of each color] left over.

July Block-of-the-Month #2:

Our second block is presented by Mandi.

Modern Alphabet "J"

For easy to print instructions: CLICK HERE

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Pick three colors.

2.  Cut the following:

       (a) 6.5" x 12.5" (in this case striped fabric)

       (b) 6.5" x 6.5" (blue starred fabric)

       (c) Background 6.5" X 12.5" (red fabric)

3.  Place 6.5" x 6.5" color (b) with RIGHT sides together on lower edge of background color. 

4.  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of color (c) and stitch on line.

5.  Trim seam to 1/4 inch and press to side.  

6.  With RIGHT sides together sew color (a) lengthwise to color (b) and (c) with seam on short side of HST created above.

Done!

Thanks for joining us! Don't forget to click on BOM on the top menu you catch up on blocks from the previous months and get a peak at how our quilt is shaping up!