Row by row, this
pocket quilt
grows
Now that all 24 are finished, it's time to piece
them together.
First, change your needle. You'll need a new,
sharp, patchwork and quilting needle to
negotiate the layers of these pockets, joined
together. You'll be going through six layers of
fabric at some points, so to ensure straight 1/4"
seams, get a new needle.
Pin the pockets together so that not only the
edges are aligned, but also the pocket diagonals.
I found it easier to align the pockets (right sides
together) first and then pin it at the first meeting
of two pockets, then align the rest of the unit.
Make sure that all the pockets face the same way,
with the openings toward the top of the wall
quilt. No really, take a minute to check this.
When joining the pockets together, press the seams to one
side, and then the other.
As I was playing around with the pocket units'
placement, I accidentally placed two or three
units on their sides -- making them ineffective as
pockets.
Sew two pockets together, and then join another
two, making a row of four pocket units.
You'll be making six rows of four pocket units.
When you've got a row pieced together, press
all the seams to one side -- it's okay to use some
steam now that the diagonals are stabilized in the
pocket units.
Take your time to sew the rows together. There's a lot of fabric
meeting in various seams as the pocket units go together.
On the next row you piece, press the seams to
the other side.
This is important once it's time to sew the rows
together because it allows the seams to butt
together (see photo above).
Sew the rows together and press the seams
toward the bottom of the quilt.
Cut four borders strips, 3" wide, across the width
of the fabric. Sew a border strip to the top and
bottom of the wall quilt. Trim. Press the seam
toward the quilt.
Sew the border strips to the sides of the quilt.
Trim. Press the seam toward the quilt.
There! Your fabulous Pockets Full of Blessings wall
quilt top is finished.
That was fun, right?
Take your time to sew the rows together. There's a lot of fabric
meeting in various seams as the pocket units go together.
QUILTsocial
.com
| issue 5
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