Quilt-As-You-Go Fabric Guide — What Fabrics Work Best for QAYG?
Quilt-As-You-Go Fabric Guide — What Fabrics Work Best for QAYG?
Quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) is a technique where each block is quilted individually before joining. The fabric requirements differ somewhat from traditional quilt assembly. Here’s what works best.
Linda’s Electric Quilters Fabric Expert Guide
QAYG Fabric Requirements
| Layer | Best Fabric Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quilt top (blocks) | Standard quilting cotton Cotton | Presses precisely, holds seams cleanly |
| Batting per block | Low-loft cotton or poly — NOT high-loft Low Loft | High loft creates too much bulk at joining seams |
| Block backing | Quilting cotton or wideback cut to block size Cotton | Must press flat and be stable for joining |
| Joining sashing | Coordinating solid or near-solid Solid | Covers joining seams — must be crisp and pressable |
▶ QAYG Key Rule Use the thinnest batting available (Hobbs Thermore or similar) for QAYG projects. The joining seams stack batting + seam allowances from multiple blocks — thick batting creates enormous bulk at the joining lines. Low-loft poly or flat cotton batting keeps the finished quilt manageable.
Is QAYG easier or harder than traditional quilting?
Easier for the quilting step (small blocks are easy to maneuver through a home machine) but more complex for the joining step. The joining technique requires precision and practice. QAYG is excellent for quilters who want to machine quilt their own quilts but find large quilt sandwiches difficult to manage on a home machine.