Sew Patchwork Blocks with Strip Piecing! {how to video}
Do you want to know the secret to sewing patchwork blocks really accurately and fast? It’s strip piecing!
Every time I post a new Glitter Quilt pattern, I can count on one thing: one of my readers will comment, ‘nice quilt, but I could never sew all those squares together!’ That’s silly, because when I make these quilts I never cut or sew together a single square (unless you count the blocks as squares) – I use strip piecing!
First I sew the strips together, and then I cut them into columns.
After that, you can easily mix and match columns from the same strip set (as above) or from different strip sets to make lots of different blocks!
Here’s a quick 5 minute video showing you exactly how I strip piece squares together, including some helpful tips. I’m using 4 strips that are 2 1/2” x 21”. They yielded 8 columns (each 2 1/2” wide) which made 2 patchwork blocks (8 1/2” unfinished).
You can use this method with any width of strips, just remember to cut your columns the same width as the strips so you will end up with squares in your block and not rectangles. Unless you want rectangles! 🙂
You might also like these quilts that use strip piecing:
- all my Glitter Quilt Patterns (that are 100% strip piecing)
- my free 4 Patch Baby Quilt Pattern
- my free Grandma’s Lattice Quilt
Happy Sewing!
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
Carolyn,
This tutorial inspires me to want to make a quilt using the method you taught. I really like your choice of fabrics and have become better acquainted with the names of these companies on your website.
You mentioned that your machine just does straight stitching and that caught my attention because my Banylock ESCANTE is losing its backlight and the local repair shops tell me they can’t guarantee replacing it- basically buy another machine. Your Julia is very fast. I’m assuming you Probably have another one (or more) for other stitches?
Also, I liked the cuffs and collar on your sweater and wondered if that’s something you’ve already taught On another video? I loved the one on the cap sleeves.
I look forward to your emails every day. They inspire me to sew . Thanks for so willingly sharing your talents.
Thanks so much Maria! In the video I’m sewing on a Juki TL2010Q. I absolutely love it and I wrote a review here: https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2014/2/13/show-off-saturday-my-new-juki-2010q?rq=juki
I use my Janome 14000 too, especially when I need different stitches or when sewing on knit fabric.
Good luck finding the right machine!
Oh, and I didn’t make that top – I wish I did!
Caroline
I am excited to see this tutorial. I have been wanting to do a quilt with lots of squares. This will make it so much easier and quicker. How do you do the hst in the strip piecing method?
Great question! Maybe I’ll make a video about that in the future. 🙂
MIL GRACIAS POR ESTE TUTORIAL ESTOY EMOCIONADA DE ENCONTRAR POR QUE ES ALGO QUE LO LLENA DE ENTUSIASMO PARA HACER UNA COLCHA O UN COJIN.DESEO RECIBIR TANTAS ENSEÑANZAS TUYAS. TE DESEO MUCHOS EXITOS DESDE COLOMBIA CON GRAN CARIÑO