Tutorial/QAYG # 5 / Joining Blocks with Narrow Strips

In this tutorial we will be joining the blocks, with  narrow joining strips. The steps are much the same as # 4 Joining the Blocks Tutorial, with some minor differences.

• Backing strip (black) 1 and 1/4 inches wide.
• Front strip (multi coloured) 2 inches wide.
• When joining the blocks you need short strips, to join the individual blocks, and longer ones to join the rows, just as you do when making sashing.
• Cut your short strips the same length, as the finished size of the block, which in this case is 20 inches.  This is important because just as in applying borders, it keeps you from stretching as you sew.

• Press the 2 inch front strip (multi-coloured) in half...wrong sides together.

• Make sure your block is right side up.
• When joining two blocks you want to put your strip on the right side, of the left block.
• The sequence of how you do things is important, because you want to avoid having the bulk of your quilt under your machine...again it becomes clear, as you go along...I had to learn the hard way.
• Line up the raw edges of multi-coloured strip up with the raw edge of the block.
• Next, take the backing strip (black) and line it up along the same edge but, on the back of the block.....right sides together.
• Use a walking foot...in my pictures I am sewing on a Pfaff with a built in walking foot.

• Join all the layers together....with a 1/4 inch seam allowance...and a regular stitch length.
• I usually just use one pin, at the top, to line things up.
• Back stitch at the beginning and the end to secure everything.



• Join the remaining edge of the backing strip (black stripe) to the back of the other block.
• Right sides together.
• I use a lot more pins here.

• Stitch using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
• You might want to do a test run, on this, because you want the seam allowances to butt together perfectly.
•  If your seam allowance is too wide the seam allowances will overlap creating bulk.
• If your seam allowance is too narrow there will be a space or gully.

•  Turn over and give everything a tug and press.

•  Press from the front. My preference is to press, almost every step of the way. I might want a wonky design but I don't want wonky sewing.
• Pin and then stitch the edge (multi-coloured) down. In many of my quilts I use a blanket or applique stitch for this, but in this particular quilt I wanted my joining strips to look the same, as my strips that are creating the design.

• Here are the two joined blocks. The multi-coloured strip is the join.

Coming up:

Adding QAYG Borders