I completed a year long QAYG BOM Sampler class at my Pfaff dealer this past Nov. I am almost certain I will never do this again!
The time you save quilting each block, is spent preparing the block backs, pinning & hand stitching the entire back of the grid of blocks at the end. I used a dark blue-black batik, so it is impossible to see to slip stitch the back pieces together. I admit, I am very picky and do not like my stitches to show. (Some people just whipped stitched and I think looks dreadful)

We did not use a template, but instead squared each block, added sashing - I squared again.

As this was a beginner class, it was a variety of techniques and blocks to make the sampler. We did use some templates to make the blocks. Overall, the class was excellent for me, more techniques then mentioned here were used, the results so far excellent (I haven't finished it-got very sick of it),but the QAYG method is not something I want to do again as blocks. I think using this method for a large quilt - in half- to reduce the bulk for machine quilting is something I will think about.

How nice to meet another Forum member! Was it prearranged or by accident?

I have thought of joining the Guild in this area. It is large, but until I stop working, This forum is my guild. I don't have the time/energy for the 'social' aspect of the joining right now. If there was a friend in it-maybe that would be different.

In the end Kate, I think everyone benefits from learning new techniques - even if you learn you don't like it.
I just do not see the benefit of QAYG Block Quilts, if you already know how to quilt. I am interested in others' views who have used one of these QAYG methods.

I had previously posted a pic of my sampler, asking for opinions for borders. I can repost the pic and take a pic of the pinned back waiting for stitching if you like.

I'm glad you got to meet Gwen. She's a lovely person. I'm also curious if it was by accident.

I can see doing a quilt in quarters to reduce bulk but I think by each individual square would be more trouble than it's worth. I'm anxious to see your finished product - or even parts if you decide not to finish it.

The meeting was arranged and I'm so glad it was! She noticed a few months ago that we are both in Central Florida although not exactly close together. She encouraged me to come to a guild meeting but until now my Weight Watchers meetings were on Monday nights so i couldn't do it. Now i'm just doing WW on line so I decided to start the year off with something new and attend the guild meeting.

I think the method I saw last night was different. No hand stitching was involved and the sashing is cut as part of the block. The backing piece is cut (as an example) at 12x12, then the batting is cut 1" less all around. You put the batting square on the larger backing square, then start sewing strips of the top fabrics from batting edge to batting edge. When a square is done you cut the pieced top right up to the batting. (Does this all make sense? I talk with my hands so I know part of my description doesn't come through on the computer :~)) I could show you but it's hard to tell you.) Then you sew one finished square to another - back side to back side - without adding sashing because you've already got 1" all around of your backing fabric. You fold over the seam allowance on the front and top stitch it down on your pieced top. Done! Done and quilted all at once. A couple people there said they had made queen size quilts in 2 days with this process and that seems very possible. It's lightning fast. Not an heirloom quilt but certainly very usable.

Maybe someone has a better description or a link to a demo.

Kate

Hi TG - we were posting at the same time. Yes, I will post pictures and on this one I may do a step by step picture series since I'm having trouble describing it. As soon as that package arrives from H of P, I'll get started!

Let's see, now where did I put that list of quilt projects....

Kate

I understand what you are saying (I think mostly:) Sounds like what we did in reverse. If I had known in the beginning how this QAYG process evolved, I could have finished the back hand sewing with the top stitching. But, since, each square was made slightly different, I don't feel, I would get a neat straight line of top stitching.
I am very interested in seeing your process.

That's sort of like the foundation piecing. Sounds interesting. I may try that on one project and see how it goes. Doesn't sound like a lot of hand stitching if you can topstitch from the top. Thanks for posting this.

I've done a few tablerunners w/a QAYG pattern. The runner ends up looking braided & is super easy. You use the technique Kate described, beginning with a sq in the center of batting on top of larger backing. Keep adding strips,rt sides tog,criss-cross fashion, sewing from bat edge to bat edge. It goes so quickly & you can make it as long as you want to keep adding strips. Just trim edges even & bind. Last yr I made a bunch for Christmas gifts & people loved them.
Doing QAYG blocks for a whole quilt would for me be a pain. But I'm also in favor of trying the technique first to see how you like it. And I agree with Kate that it probably would not be for an heirloom quilt but good for a utilitarian one.
Going back to the sewing room - my BA is calling my name - I hear it!

~Cindy

I made a QAUG in the way Mago describes years ago from a G. Bonesteel book. I liked it because it was portable, but I didn't like the way the backing looked either.
I saw a show (?) with a reversible QAYG and I made a baby quilt. It was cute but stiff.
IMO, I thought it might be because the blocks were 8&1/2. I planned to try it again with larger blocks but never did.
I'm waiting to see what you think of the 12" blocks Kate.
Rosa

Here is a link that might be useful: ReversibleQAUG

So is there a part of the sashing that ends up with no batting in it?

Kate and Cindy,

That sounds like a good QAYG method. I have a question, though, about the sashings and stitching it all together.

When stitching two blocks together, with larger block backing right sides together, it sounds like you would stitch on a line only from the corner of the batting to the next corner of the batting and stop, being careful not to catch the batting or top in this stitching. Then you start putting pieces together on the adjacent sides, again stitching from batting corner to batting corner. Right?

But when you've got 4 squares together, in a 4-patch rather than in a row, how do you handle all that fabric in the corners when you fold over the "sashings" onto the front? Do you cut the corners off? Do you fold the down and press or crease, then fold one side down and stitch at the corner so it is mitered, then the other, adjacent side, so it meets the angled miter you got on the other side? I'm envisioning something like mitering the corner of a binding, but four times at each intersection.

I'm glad you're planning to do some step-by-step photos. I would love to see what happens there at the corners in that finishing step.

Thanks for sharing this method. Sounds interesting. Can't wait to see your quilts.

Valerie

No, because you put two blocks together, back to back, and sew right next to the batting. I think it is very possible that with all the top stitching it might be kind of a stiff quilt, but since I plan to use 12 inch blocks and very light batting, it shouldn't be bad. When I turn and top stitch the backing seam allowances to make the front sashing, I'll use a little bit longer stitch, too, and that should help it feel softer.

If it turns out to be too stiff, at least it will make a very pretty dog bed! But I think it will be OK.

This is a sampling of the pieces from the Kaffe Fassett jelly roll pack I'll be using - it's all earth tone botanicals and geometrics. Yummy colors!
I don't know what I'll be using for the backing yet but I'm thinking of a marbled purple; I need to see the fabrics first but it will be something without a distinct pattern so the backing looks more like one piece.
{{!gwi}}

Sorry, Valerie - I missed your question before posting the last one.

When stitching two blocks together, with larger block backing right sides together, it sounds like you would stitch on a line only from the corner of the batting to the next corner of the batting and stop, being careful not to catch the batting or top in this stitching. That's right.

But when you've got 4 squares together, in a 4-patch rather than in a row, how do you handle all that fabric in the corners when you fold over the "sashings" onto the front? That's a good question and one I haven't thought about yet. I guess after sewing a strip of blocks together, I would press the seams open and top stitch. Then join two strips and do the same. There will be some bulk at the joints but since the seams are opened it wouldn't be much more than when you press seams to the side and come to an intersection, would it? Not sure. I'll have to work that out.

Ooooo! I just love a new project!!! :~))

So is there a part of the sashing that ends up with no batting in it?

Patsy, I tried to answer your question above but it got out of order. Scroll up a couple posts and you'll see it. Basically, the answer is 'no' because you stitch up close to the batting. You end up with seams between the blocks but very little gap in the batting. I think it would help to use a zipper foot so you can get up close but it may not be necessary.

Pretty fabrics Kate. In the QAYG that I did, the batting was folded & pinned out of the way while the blocks (or sashing in my case) sewn right sides together - not catching any batting in the seam. Then the batting was trimmed to butt to each other (essentially opposite-wrong side of the machine sewn seam) the excess of the backing trimmed and folded neatly and stitched by hand. All of the sashing only has one layer of batting and even bulkiness as the rest of the already quilted block & sashing.
I really hope this does not confuse you more.The methods are similar. There are some you tubes on the different methods if you get stuck.
I am anxious to see your machine sewn method.