Ok, time to start attaching the blocks together!
Sashing is used to attach the blocks together. When I decided to make a Quilt As You Go scrap quilt, I choose the traditional log cabin block for the top because it has a strong graphic style with lots of lines. Ideally the sashing will blend in some with the other lines and be a subtle frame for the quilt, but not the first thing someone notices.
I think there are some other ways to make a QAYG quilt where the sashing is either not used, or it is only on one side. Below is the only method I've tried, so I'm not sure how easy/difficult these other ways might be.
Attaching the Blocks
After sewing and quilting all the blocks, they are trimmed to the same size.
Now I will attach them together in horizontal rows. Then the horizontal rows will be attached together to finish the quilt.
First I need two sashing pieces:
1. The front sashing piece is 1" wide x the height of the block.
2. The back sashing piece is 1.75" wide x the height of the block. This piece is then folded in half WRONG sides together along the length & pressed.
Then the front sashing piece is placed RIGHT sides together along one side edge of the block.
On the back of the block, along the same edge as the front sashing piece, the folded back sashing piece is placed so the raw edges of the sashing match the raw edge of the block.
The sashing pieces are sewn to the block using a 1/4" allowance.
Now it is time to add the adjoining block.
The front sashing piece is opened away from the first block, and the raw edge is matched to the side of the second block.
The second block is stitched in place using a 1/4" allowance.
Now the front looks like this:
On the back of the block, the sashing piece is pulled over to cover the back seam. The folded edge is then slip stitched in place by hand.
It is possible to stitch it in place by machine, but that is going to add machine sewing time when the quilt is larger. It will almost certainly not be as difficult as machine quilting an entire quilt top, but it will mean having to stuff the quilt through the arm at some point.
Avoiding--or minimizing--the quilt vs. sewing machine wrestling match is the main benefit of the QAYG technique, so I am going to hand stitch these back seams.
