Tutorial/QAYG # 4/Joining the Blocks

We are finally ready to join the blocks together.  I usually join the blocks using one method, but various widths of joining strips...depending on the look I am going for. On this particular quilt, I want the finished joining strip to be 2" wide. Once you do this a few times...all becomes clear. Just a reminder..it's important to use a walking foot on your machine. It might not look like I am using one in the pictures, but I am using a Pfaff sewing machine, which has a built in walking foot.

• Batting strip 1 and 1/2 inches wide
• Backing strip (red) 2 and 1/2 inches wide
• Front strip (brown) 4 and 1/2 inches wide
• When joining the blocks you need short strips, to join the individual blocks, and longer ones to join the rows, just as you do when making sashing.
• Cut your short strips the same length as the finished size of the block which in this case is 14 inches.  This is important because just as in applying borders, it keeps you from stretching as you sew.
• Cut your batting strips an inch or so longer, because they tend to shrink up a little, as you quilt them later.

•  Press the 4 and 1/2 inch front strip (brown) in half...wrong sides together.

• Make sure your block is right side up.
• When joining two blocks you want to put your strip on the right side, of the left block.
• The sequence of how you do things is important, because you want to avoid having the bulk of your quilt under your machine...again it becomes clear, as you go along...I had to learn the hard way.
• Line up the raw edges of brown strip up with the raw edge of the block (left block in the picture).
• Next, take the backing strip (red) and line it up along the same edge but, on the wrong side of the block.....right sides together.
• You can see them in the photo

•  Here is the back of block with the red joining strip....right sides together.

• Join all the layers together....using a 1/4 inch seam allowance...and a regular stitch length.
• I usually just use one pin, at the top, to line things up.
• Back stitch at the beginning and the end to secure everything.

• Join the remaining edge of the backing strip(red) to the back, left edge of the other block.
• Right sides together.

• I use a lot more pins joining these edges.
• Join using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

•  Turn over and give everything a tug and press.

•  Press from the front. My preference is to press, almost every step of the way. I might want a wonky design but I don't want wonky sewing.
• When you get to this point, you might question why the front strip is double.
• I could have, just put in a single strip, pressing one edge with a 1/4 inch hem.
• I find doing it this way you get such a neat, stable edge, to sew down...also I find it faster, easier and more accurate to fold and press a strip in half than pressing an accurate 1/4 inch hem....especially true when joining the rows.

•  Spray the 1 and 1/2 inch batting strip, lightly with basting spray, on both sides.

•  Lay your blocks right side up.
• Gently place the batting strip, in the gully, between the blocks.
• It should fit really easily, if you have used an accurate 1/4 inch seam allowance.

•  Cover the batting strip with the front (brown) joining strip.
• Just cover the stitching line of the seam allowance.

• Pin carefully
• Stitch down the front (brown) joining strip.
• You now have choices....
• In this quilt I have decided to use a straight stitch....because that's the look I prefer for this quilt.
• You could use a zig zag stitch or blanket stitch.......even a decorative stitch if so desired. 

•  You now need to quilt the joining strip in order to secure the batting inside
• I have chosen to straight stitch,with my quilting lines 1/2 inch apart. I don't mark I just use my presser foot as a guide. This particular presser foot is not 1/2 an inch but I am able to change my needle position, so that it works out.

•  All joined and quilted

Coming up:

Joining with Narrow Strips