Quilt As You Go Handbook is the comprehensive guide to the Quilt As You Go (QAYG) method — a transformative quilt construction technique that quilts individual blocks on a domestic machine before joining them, making full-size quilts approachable for quilters who don't have a longarm machine, eliminating the need to wrestle a bulky quilt through a domestic sewing machine, and producing beautifully quilted full-size quilts one manageable block at a time.
Top 10 Questions About Quilt As You Go Handbook
Q: What is the Quilt As You Go method?
A: QAYG is a quilt construction technique where each block is sandwiched with its own piece of batting and backing, then quilted individually on a domestic sewing machine before the blocks are joined together into the finished quilt. The result is a fully quilted quilt built block by block rather than as one large, unwieldy sandwich.
Q: Why do quilters use the QAYG method instead of traditional construction?
A: The primary advantage is manageability — quilting individual 12"–15" blocks on a domestic machine is dramatically easier than feeding a full king quilt through the same machine. QAYG is also ideal for quilters who want to add complex custom quilting to each block without a longarm machine.
Q: What does the Quilt As You Go Handbook cover?
A: Check the current product listing for specific content details. QAYG handbooks typically cover the foundational block construction process, joining methods, seam finishing options, and a range of patterns designed specifically for the QAYG technique.
Q: Is QAYG appropriate for beginning quilters?
A: Yes — many quilters learn to make their first full-size quilts using QAYG because the manageable block scale makes every step more approachable than traditional full-sandwich construction and quilting.
Q: What batting is best for QAYG construction?
A: Individual block-size batting cuts from any standard quilt batting work well. Batting with a wider quilting distance (Warm & Natural's 10", Polydown's 8") provides the most flexibility for QAYG block designs. Check your specific pattern's batting recommendations.
Q: What thread is recommended for QAYG quilting?
A: The same thread standards apply to QAYG as to any domestic machine quilting — 40-weight Omni or So Fine! for most applications. Thread selection depends on the individual block's design and fabric colors.
Q: Can QAYG blocks be quilted with complex designs?
A: Yes — one of the major advantages of QAYG is the ability to quilt each block with complex, custom designs that would be very difficult to execute on a full quilt sandwich under a domestic machine.
Q: Is the QAYG method suitable for creating king-size quilts?
A: Yes — QAYG is specifically useful for making large quilts on domestic machines, and king quilts are completely achievable with the block-by-block approach.
Q: Are there QAYG templates and tools at Linda's to pair with this handbook?
A: Yes — Linda's carries QAYG quilting template sets that work specifically with quilt-as-you-go construction. See the QAYG templates available in the tools and accessories section.
Q: Is the Quilt As You Go Handbook in stock at Linda's?
A: Check the current product listing for live availability. This is one of the most ordered quilting education books at Linda's Electric Quilters.
Quilt big, work small — shop Quilt As You Go Handbook at Linda's Electric Quilters.
