Di's Way to Quilt as you go!!!

Here is the main piece that I already had sewed together before I realized how large this quilt was gonna turn out---as I only hand quilt, and already have some large ones wanting to be quilted--I decided I had better do this one--as I went--so first I hand quilted the first three parts that we had gotten and finished--I made the "sandwich" for this just like I do my smaller quilts--then hand quilted it---I always leave about 1-2 on each edge of the batting and backing until I have it all quilted.  Then I did the sandwich for the flower vine panels and quilted them.

Here you see the "extra" batting and backing--Now you need to trim this extra off--even with the top panels

Next you fold back the battings and backing on both pieces that you want to sew together--you can pin them back--then you sew the two pieces at your normal 1/4 inch seam allowance==being "careful" not to sew in the batting or backings.  I had hand quilted a little tooo close on the center panel to the out side edge--but by taking my time I was able to sew these two seams together.

Then turn it over and press your seam flat--

You will probably have to trim the batting another 1/4" on one side piece only--once this is trimmed you will see that the two battings will lay flat and meet on the seam you just stitched.--Be very careful when you are cutting this batting--not to catch any front or back fabric in the cutting--so take your time--please.

Then you will--still working on the back of the quilt--take the backing fabric and fold it under the 1/4 inch and press--
This should come over top of the other piece of backing to cover that edge.

See how it looks here---then you will hand stitch this seam down--like a hem stitch that you use on stitching down the binding--

and then when you turn your quilt around to the front--Presto--it is all together in one nice piece and it is even quilted and now we are ready for the next rows --another row for the top and bottom!!!!!


Have fun--I really like to do hand quilt my larger blocks as I go--then it is fun to just sew them all together add the binding and you are done!


If YOU HAVE any questions or problems--please let me know--again --this is how I do them--may not be how others do theirs!!!


Have fun
Hugs, Di