Crys Kyle and Wendy Hill, two quilters who are members of the same guild in Sunriver, Oregon, discovered three good reasons to revisit the quilt-as-you-sew concept. Their article in the August/September 2009 issue of Quilters Newsletter gives step-by-step instructions for three variations of the basic technique.

Method 1: Layer the top and batting only with no backing. Quilt individual blocks, sections, or a whole top. Join the blocks or sections, right sides together, and then add the backing. Add enough quilting to hold all three layers together and bind as usual.

Method 2: Quilt the blocks through all three layers and join the blocks with sashing strips on the front and back.

Method 3: Quilt the blocks through all three layers. Join the blocks right sides together and cover the seams on the back.  

Here are just a few examples of quilts that Wendy made. Hold the mouse over the image to see a detail photo.
Photos by Craig Howell

What Beautiful Chaos, 26˝ x 27˝, 2005, method 1.

Making the Rounds, 40˝ x 40˝, 2003, method 1.

Around and About, 28˝ x 32˝, 2005 method 1.

Cherry Phosphate, 71˝ x 84˝, 2002, method 2.

Cherry Phosphate, quilt back.

Out Far, In Deep, 91˝ x 55˝, 2007, method 3.

Appeared in:

August/September 2009