Quilt-As-You-Go is so much more than just log cabins! Try this new Bloomin’ QAYG technique for a fun effect.
I’ve been asked a number of times for a tutorial on how I created the Newtown Auction pillow. I finally got my act together and created this little how-to. I’m calling it Bloomin’ Quilt-As-You-Go, as it looks a lot like a flower starting to bloom. If you have any questions, just leave them in the comments and I’ll try and help you out and/or modify the tutorial so it makes more sense.
I learned the basic scrappy quilt-as-you-go via a great tutorial over at Oh, Fransson! Her version is lovely and straight, like a log cabin block. It was the perfect introduction to QAYG, and I’d highly recommend giving something small like this a shot to get comfortable with it.
I’ve taken the same process and made it wonky. The technique is the same, but it sort of requires a bit of mental geometry — the ability to see where you’re headed before you get there.
I’m participating in the Pretty Little Pouch 6 Swap, so I thought I’d create the front panel of the pouch using this method, and write up this tutorial as I went! I hope my partner loves the pouch I’m creating.
Block Supplies
- Backing fabric
- Batting
- Scrap fabric
- Iron
- Cutting mat
- Fabric scissors
- Ironing board
- Spray basting
- High-quality thread
- Bobbin
- Sewing machine
- Walking foot
- Rotary cutter
Block Instructions
There will be three layers to this panel. A backing fabric, the batting, and the scrappy top. Unlike a normal quilt sandwich, the back of your panel will be not so pretty. So it’s perfect for making things with a lining — pouches, bags, pillows, etc. It doesn’t work so well for an actual quilt.
You’ll want your iron and cutting mat close by, as well as your scissors. I lower my ironing board and put it right next to my table, as well as put my small cutting mat right next to my machine. This saves me from walking over to my big cutting table after each step.
Choose your fabrics. You can do this with any fabrics, but I find that a gradation of color works particularly nicely, as well as a range of values — dark to light. For this pouch, I chose a selection of pinks, purples, and grays. Cut strips between 1″ and 2″ wide, or pull from your stash. It’s perfect for scrap-busting.
Cut a piece of batting the size of the panel you want. My panel is 8.5″ x 8.5″. Back the panel with a utility fabric. For this pouch, I used an inexpensive cotton from JoAnn (seriously, like $1.99 a yard) since it will be inside the lining of the pouch. I cut it a little wider than the batting, just in case it shifts. You can spray-baste them together if you’d like.
Set up your machine to quilt. Lengthen your stitch a bit, and use high-quality thread. This is a thread-intensive project, so you might want to wind an extra bobbin or two, depending on how big your panel is, or how many you’re making. Just to make this small square I used nearly an entire bobbin!
I didn’t use my walking foot — my machine quilts fine without it. But if you’re more comfortable quilting with it, go for it. Pick the fabric you’d like as the center of the “flower,” and quilt it, right-side up, straight to the batting. I like to start it a bit off-center, but you could start it anywhere on the panel.
I used simple straight-line quilting, but you could do some FMQ or use other patterns. To save thread, when I came to the end of the fabric, I turned the panel, stitched three stiches down, and then stitched back the other way across the fabric. It actually goes pretty quickly once you get the hang of it.
Here’s a quick video I made of how to do the turning: QAYG Video Tutorial. Can I figure out how to embed it? Of course not. Does it have a bit on the end where I pick up the camera to turn it off? Indeed. Are my thumbs blocking the camera half the time? You betcha. But the fact I even made a video in the first place should be cause for celebration. Hip, hip, hooray!
Moving on.
Here is what should have:
In a traditional log cabin, you’d lay the next piece perpendicular to the first piece. Instead, lay your second piece face down at an angle, so the two pieces are right-sides together. Sew along the edge of the piece with 1/8″ seam.
Open up the two pieces and press the new piece away from the first piece. Quilt that one using the same technique you used on the first piece.
Add another piece across from it using the same method. Basically, instead of making a square, you want to make more of a pentagon, with five sides instead of four. So every piece will be angled. I use each fabric (except the first fabric) two or three times as I work my way out from the center. You’ll see this more as it starts to come into form.
Continue adding pieces at an angle. You want to make sure to cover up all edges and seams with the pieces you’re adding. You’ll see below that the light purple piece (right-side down in the photo) covers the two ends of the darker pink pieces, so that when it’s opened, those ends are hidden.
You can already see the flower starting to take shape.
Keep adding pieces. It’s hard to go wrong — I’ve had whole pieces I’ve ended up covering up. Just make sure that the pieces you are adding are covering up the ends of the strips as you go — you don’t want frayed edges showing.
When I start to get to the edge, I like to trim as I add pieces. I trim after I open up a piece and iron it, but before quilting it. That means I’m not quilting anything extra.
Keep going around in a circle, adding pieces. You’ll be surprised. You’ll cut a large piece of fabric, and by the time you’ve added others on top of it, only a small triangle is showing in the end.
It’ll take some getting used to, but as you see the shape take form, where to put the next pieces will become more clear. It’s difficult to visualize at first, but after a while it should make more sense (I hope!)
Keep on adding. You’ll use more fabric strips than you’d expect.
Soon you’ll be finished! Trim down your edges and square up your block (if you’re making a square). You’re ready to use this panel when you make a bag or pillow or mug rug!
Let me know if you give this Bloomin’ Quilt-As-You-Go a shot — I’d LOVE to see what you create with it!
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MPaula says
I am planning to make a duvet cover (considering it has been in my mind for several years, who knows when it will get done) and wondered if quilt-as-you-go would be an appropriate method. I continue to use the cover alone when it becomes too hot for the duvet.
Considering that the back of the quilt would be hidden by the fabric used for the other side of the cover, ugliness is not a concern. The stiffness might be a problem so I will start with a smaller project first to get a feel for it (unintended pun!). Obviously I would have to make squares or rectangles to make the top and then stitch them together.
Thanks for your tutorial. I am pinning it for when I actually get started.
Margaret says
this is amazing and has actually inspired me to try and make some cushion covers for my lounge. Thank you!!!!
Cori George says
Do it! I’d love to see what you come up with :)
Anca says
Hi Cori!
Thanks for the tutorial, I experienced for the first time QAIG.
I’d like to send you I picture but do not know how :)
Regards,
Anca
Anela says
When I decided to take on quilting last Christmas, I ambitiously started with a baby blanket. But once I got to the quilting part, I realized I needed practice first! I used your qayg tutorial to make an accompanying pillow first. Would love to get your thoughts!
Here’s my post on it: https://byanela.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/my-first-quilted-project/
Erika says
I loved this pattern. So gorgeous. I made a pillow following it and write on my blog, likning to your tutorial. Here’s the post: Quilt as you go » Ikochan
http://www.ikochan.se/2016/04/02/quilt-as-you-go/ .Thank you for a wonderful tutorial :)
Patricia says
Thanks! Looks like an easy yet unusual Potholder set for me!
Jenna says
I loved this design so much that I took it in a bigger direction! Instead of quilting as I went, I kept adding the bloom on the quilt top until it reached about 5 feet. I can’t wait to do another one, this time quilting as I go and making different color blooms!
http://i.imgur.com/8RyH7Ss.jpg
Cori George says
THIS IS SO COOL! Thanks for sharing!!
Rene says
So inspired! Is it possible to use this technique in making a quilt? The thickness of the seams would be an issue I would think. Your thoughts and suggestions greatly appreciated. Wonderful job, though. I may give this a try. ?
valerie says
amazing. thank you for the inspiration
Courtney says
I love this and purple is my favorite color too. Thank you for making a tutorial. :)
Cori George says
You’re so welcome Courtney!
RR says
My sister’s middle name is Rose. I’ve been looking high and low for a pieced (preferably) rose block for the corners of the widest outside border. Without paperpiecing!
This is so perfect, thank you so very much for posting it. I may do it with a light clth foundation, rather than QAYG, depending on my final decision(s) on the border quilting.
However, this is such a perfect Bloomin’ Rose, all other hard-sought options have fallen off the design board. Great timing for it to show up on an email listing too, I’m starting on adding those borders this afternoon.
BRAVA on the design AND the tutorial.
Dawn says
I did it but have no idea how to post a pic
Melanie says
I love this and I love the fabrics that you have choosen, can you tell me the names of each of the fabrics you used? I would love to try to make this!
Batsheva Sida says
Thank you for explaining an easy way of doing that. I have plenty of scraps and did not know how. I was looking for inspiration.
MaLinda says
Wish I could post a pic, but mine is sure not as good as yours. But I love this and will do some more!!!!
Helen Caudill says
Love this block … haven’t been quilting for various reasons but this is too good not to try. Thank you so much for this.
Christie says
I have read the comments and nowhere does it tell how to join the blocks together. I love the idea of qayg but I can only use so many pot holders. I would like an actual quilt out of them.
Rhonda G says
I adore this idea and LOVE your fabric choices. Right now I have five big projects in the works, so as soon as I get one or two out of the way, I hope to come back and give this one a try. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.