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Friday, May 4, 2012

Let's Quickly Join.......Let's NOT.

Your blocks are made and quilted....all ready to join. The temptation to "quickly" join the blocks, in order to  finish is high....don't give in. The are many parts of QAYG that are quick and fairly forgiving, joining the blocks is not one of them. I really don't mean to scare you off, it's just that you've worked so hard, to make these beautiful blocks, you want them beautifully joined as well. Take your time. Here are some tips that really help me.
 Pin and pin some more. I'm really not a quilter, that pins very much, but when joining the long strips I find it's a must. I pin at every intersecting block, so that everything meets where it should, and then some pins in between.
 Put your ironing board beside you, in order to support your quilt...as you add the rows the quilt gets heavier and starts to pull, resulting in crooked seams.
 
Press and press some more. I place an ironing pad on my cutting board so that I can lay the quilt flat.
 I press the join at the back, first.
Just look at the fancy new iron, I bought a few weeks ago....it's fabulous.
 You can leave it sit, just like that, it has an automatic lift so it doesn't burn anything, when it rests.
I turn the quilt over and press the join from the front. 
 
Then I press the joining strip to one side and pin some more.
 All ready to stitch down...I prefer to stitch this down with my machine, rather than by hand....this is where I like to save time.
Here is half the quilt, on the banister.......the rest is  in the  sewing room waiting to be joined, carefully.
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18 comments:

  1. KatiMay 4, 2012 at 7:25 PM

    I love seeing all your projects! One of these days I'm going to make a quilt using your method. I just love your results!

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  2. AnonymousMay 4, 2012 at 7:53 PM

    I think your work is amazing!! Thank you for sharing your process.

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  3. margaretMay 4, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    First, I've been watching this since you started making the blocks and it's stunning! Second, I've just finished a Carol Taylor workshop at the National Quilt Museum (in Paducah) and used that same iron for the past 5 days - it's wonderful! Never thought I'd yearn for an expensive iron, but this one, well, I want it and Mother's Day is coming up. Somebody's gonna have to tell my family.

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  4. MariQuiltsMay 4, 2012 at 8:20 PM

    Thanks so much, Margaret. I love Carol Taylor's work...lucky you. Isn't that the most amazing iron, I bought it on impulse and just love it.

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  5. LeanneMay 4, 2012 at 8:59 PM

    This is coming together so nicely and your techniques to keep the joins perfect are helpful, thank you. I might not have mentioned that I have that iron, it sure is easier on your wrists.

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  6. PattiMay 4, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    Thanks for the great tips! Your quilt is just spectacular! Your new iron sounds like it is a winner too.

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  7. felicityMay 4, 2012 at 11:53 PM

    I'm so enjoying seeing this beautiful quilt come together!

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  8. dutchcomfortMay 5, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    Thanks for all the tips! That quilt is amazingly beautiful!

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  9. Rafael's MumMay 5, 2012 at 1:18 AM

    It's been such a joy seeing your quilt come together and the result is truly astonishing! Thank you for all your posts, it has been a privilege to make the journey with you.

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  10. LisaMay 5, 2012 at 5:42 AM

    gorgeous! you are lucky to have such a large table to lay out your work!!!

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  11. Hilary FryeMay 5, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    I like that the joins are pieced too. Looking spectacular!

    I hope you do videos some day...hint..hint. :)

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  12. UnknownMay 5, 2012 at 11:31 AM

    This is an amazing colour story quilt

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  13. Peppermint PinwheelsMay 5, 2012 at 10:58 PM

    What a lovely set-up you have there! Such a nice sewing table. And I agree...videos would be wonderful!

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  14. Lynne (Lily's Quilts)May 6, 2012 at 12:54 AM

    Ach you and Oakshott are just a match made in heaven, I could look at this quilt for hours - hope to see it in person some time soon!

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  15. KathyAugust 7, 2013 at 2:26 PM

    Just found your blog so I haven't researched if you've posted this somewhere, but are you quilting the back of all these pieces as you go? And if so, are you covering the join on the back the same way? But then that stitching would show on the front... It's so slick, I really want to understand how you're doing it! Thanks for your time! I can't wait to check out more of your fabulous work!

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  16. MerilúOctober 28, 2014 at 5:22 AM

    Couldn't resist to comment on this so beautiful and spectacular quilt!!! Congrats on your tutorials and designs!! " the simpler .... The better" thanks ❤️

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I try to respond to all of your wonderful comments....if you are not getting any response from me it's because you are set up as a no-reply blogger. In order to receive a response you can change your status in your blogger profile. I'm no longer accepting anonymous comments.

Thanks again for all your wonderful comments
Marianne