Are you looking for a new quilting technique to try out?
Something simple to learn but still a lot of fun to do?
We recommend quilt-as-you-go quilting!
We’ll answer all your questions about what “quilt-as-you-go” is and how to do it for your next quilting project.
Then let’s look at 15 gorgeous examples of easy quilt-as-you-go patterns you can recreate.
Don’t worry, beginner quilters; this is a fabulous beginner-friendly technique too.
What Is a Quilt-As-You-Go Quilt?
As the name suggests, quilt-as-you-go quilts are quilted “as you go.”
This means instead of piecing an entire quilt top, creating a quilt sandwich, and then quilting it, you piece and quilt the individual blocks before sewing the blocks together.
It will make more sense when I show you how to make a block in the next section. Several methods quilters have come up with for creating a quilt-as-you-go quilt, and we’ll discuss them later in this post.
15 Extraordinary Quilt-As-You-Go Quilt Patterns
Now that we’ve gone over how to create a simple quilt-as-you-go quilt let’s check out some more ideas to get inspired.
These are all going to be excellent beginner-friendly projects, and I was able to find several free quilt-as-you-go patterns for you guys.
1. Quilt-As-You-Go Strip Quilt
Here is a simple tutorial on creating an adorable strip quilt. If you can sew a straight stitch, you can make this quilt-as-you-go quilt. This tutorial can be used to make any size quilt and is a quick and easy project.
2. Little Lady Patchwork Tutorial
This fantastic free tutorial is from the Little Lady Patchwork blog. This tutorial is very similar to what we discussed earlier in this post. You first create each block, sew them together, and then add the backing. Excellent tutorial for a beginner quilter.
3. AppleGreen Cottage Tutorial
This in-depth quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) tutorial details each step with well-written instructions and beautiful pictures for visual learners. The maker of this tutorial uses a single QAYG block to create an adorable pouch, but you could easily create several blocks for a quilt using this tutorial.
4. How To Join QAYG Blocks Tutorial
This is another fun method of connecting your QAYG blocks using sashing. This tutorial is easy-to-follow and will help you attach your blocks into rows. The designer includes many photos to show you each step in detail.
5. Quilt-As-You-Go with Sashing
This free tutorial walks you through the entire process from start to finish to create this lovely QAYG quilt. This is the pattern for you if you want all the steps in one spot. The finished quilt will measure approximately 52” x 62”, the perfect throw-size quilt.
6. Scrappy QAYG Tutorial
How cute are these scrappy log cabin blocks? These blocks were pieced using the QAYG method. This tutorial shows you how to add the sashing to connect the blocks. This is a fantastic option if you want to make a scrappy quilt.
7. Seaside Boardwalk Block
Isn’t this a beautiful, modern quilt block? This tutorial will walk you through creating this QAYG quilt block. The instructions given are for a 13” unfinished block, but you could easily adjust the measurements to fit the size block you want to create.
8. Maple Leaf Nine-Patch Quilt
Here is a beautiful pattern that features two classic quilt blocks: the maple leaf and the nine-patch blocks. The pattern includes step-by-step instructions on cutting, sewing, and finishing this quilt, including photos and written instructions. The finished quilt will measure 55 ½” x 70 ½”.
9. Stained Glass
This beautiful pattern mimics the look of vintage stained glass by using thin black sashing between each block.
The pattern walks you through all the steps for a QAYG project and also gives instructions on how to make the quilt larger or smaller. The written instructions are for a 64” x 73” quilt.
10. Zip Strip Quilt
Here is a quick and easy strip quilt pattern that uses the QAYG method. This pattern will include all instructions for piecing the quilt using the QAYG method and three size options.
The pattern designer also designed her own template to go along with her patterns, which helps with cutting and centering the batting and blocks, though you don’t have to purchase the template to be able to make this quilt.
11. Dino Dudes
This quilt pattern combines a simple rail fence QAYG technique with adorable applique dinosaur pieces for a fun baby quilt design. The finished quilt measures 42” x 48”. This would make the perfect baby shower gift.
12. Once in a Lullabye
This quilt pattern is such a gorgeous sampler with 12 beautifully different blocks. It is also fun to play around with several different free-motion quilting (FMQ) motifs on one quilt top. The finished quilt measures 51” x 68”.
13. Simple QAYG Tutorial
Here is another free tutorial that walks you through the steps of the QAYG method. In this method, you put together each block using all three layers (quilt top, batting, and backing.)
You then sew the blocks together on the top first and the back. This is a well-written tutorial and worth checking out.
14. Quilt Block Sampler QAYG
Here is the first part of a quilt along series from Alaura from Pattern Poole, where she teaches us how to make six different QAYG blocks for a fun mix-and-match quilt pattern.
She also includes links to YouTube videos if you prefer learning via video. The finished quilt will measure approximately 60” square.
15. Infinity
How Do You Make a Quilt-As-You-Go Quilt?
I will show you how to create a simple quilt-as-you-go quilt block and then give instructions for one of the methods of creating a quilt with these blocks.
You can use these steps to construct any size quilt block and quilt.
Step One: Create the Quilt-As-You-Go quilt blocks
For this example, I will make four 10” blocks. I will use four 2 ½” x 10” strips for each block, but you can use any size strip you would like. You can also create any size quilt block.
You will also need four 10” squares of batting.
Place one of the strips on the batting face up.
Place another strip with right sides together with the first strip.
Sew the strips together using a ¼” seam allowance.
Fold the second strip over so it is right side facing up.
Ensure the strip is flat; repeat these steps to add the last two strips.
Quilt the strips as desired. I love the look of straight-line quilting on strip quilts.
Trim the excess batting away. Repeat till you have as many quilt blocks as you need.
Step Two: Sew the blocks together
Lay out the blocks the way you would like them. Sew the blocks together just like you would with a “regular” quilt, placing them right sides together and sewing with a ¼” seam allowance.
Press the seams open to reduce bulky seams.
Step Three: Add the backing and binding
Layout your quilt onto the backing fabric. Ensure the right side of the backing fabric is facing down. Pin or glue in place.
You can do a wide variety of quilting techniques to attach the backing to the quilt, such as:
- Stitch in the ditch
- Quilt ties
- Stitch baste
- Hand-stitch
For this example, I simply used the stitch-in-the-ditch method and sewed in the “ditch” of the four quilt blocks.
Bind the quilt as usual, and there you have it! Wasn’t that fun? This is a great way to make a quilt if you want to try out some fancy free-motion quilting but are intimidated by quilting a large quilt project on your domestic sewing machine. All you have to worry about it is the single quilt block in front of you.
Final Thoughts
This pattern was designed by the designer from #10 and included three size options. The design may look tricky, but this would make a fun beginner project. The writer recommends using a walking foot for creating this quilt since you work with multiple layers of fabric.
I hope this array of quilt-as-you-go patterns gave you a glimpse into another fun and tempting quilting technique. This method is popular in every skill level and is fun for all ages too!