Quilt As You Go: From First Block to Finished Quilt

What you'll be able to do

• Prep and square up fabric and batting correctly for any quilt-as-you-go block before you ever touch a sewing machine
• Construct six distinct QAYG blocks (Bento Box, Chain Link, Album, House, Spin Me Round, Beggar's Block) using both the fuse-and-sew and stitch-and-flip QAYG methods
• Choose and execute the right QAYG method for a given block shape instead of defaulting to one technique
• Incorporate English Paper Piecing shapes into a quilt-as-you-go block without distorting seams
• Join finished QAYG blocks into a flat, square quilt top with hidden, even seams
• Bind and finish a quilt using either traditional binding or an envelope-style finish, and complete your first full QAYG quilt

What's inside

8 modules, in order, from the first step to the finished result.

• 01

  QAYG Foundations: Tools, Fabric Prep & the Two Core Methods

  Set up your sewing space correctly and learn the two primary quilt-as-you-go methods Jean uses throughout the series, so you understand the 'why' before diving into blocks.

  Squaring up batting and backing before piecingJelly roll vs. cut-fabric prep differencesWhen to use the fuse-and-sew QAYG approachWhen to use the stitch-and-flip QAYG approach
• 02

  Your First Block: Two-Fabric Bento Box

  Build confidence with a simple two-fabric block that introduces basic QAYG seam order and pressing before moving into more complex shapes.

  Cutting strategy for two-fabric blocksCentering fabric pieces on battingSewing order to avoid puckeringTrimming and squaring the finished block
• 03

  Chain Link Block: Introducing Curved & Interlocking Piecing

  Move beyond straight seams into the Chain Link block, learning how to manage interlocking shapes within the QAYG process.

  Marking interlocking seam lines on battingSewing curved vs. straight QAYG seamsKeeping interlocking pieces aligned under tensionPressing without distorting curved seams
• 04

  Album Quilt Block: Classic Piecing with QAYG Precision

  Learn the historic Album block and practice precise, multi-piece QAYG construction that requires tighter seam allowances.

  Multi-piece block layout planningMaintaining 1/4-inch accuracy in QAYGMatching points across several fabric piecesManaging bulk where seams intersect
• 05

  Jelly Roll Blocks: Spin Me Round & Beggar's Block

  Work directly from jelly roll strips to build two vintage-style blocks, learning strip management and a scrappy, low-waste piecing approach.

  Working efficiently with pre-cut jelly roll stripsStrip rotation for the pinwheel-style Spin Me Round layoutVintage-style scrappy piecing for Beggar's BlockManaging strip width consistency
• 06

  House Block: Piecing Angles & Directional Shapes

  Tackle a directional, multi-angle block that challenges seam matching and introduces partial-seam construction within QAYG.

  Planning directional fabric placementExecuting partial seams in a QAYG blockMatching roofline and wall seams preciselySquaring an asymmetrical block
• 07

  Merging English Paper Piecing with QAYG

  Combine traditional English paper piecing shapes with the quilt-as-you-go process to create more intricate, heirloom-style blocks.

  Basting fabric around paper templatesRemoving papers without distorting EPP shapesAttaching EPP units onto batting the QAYG waySecuring EPP seams permanently within a QAYG block
• 08

  Assembly & Finishing: From Blocks to a Completed Quilt

  Join all your blocks into a finished quilt top and choose a finishing method — traditional binding or an envelope-style finish — to complete your first QAYG quilt.

  Squaring and trimming finished blocks to matchJoining blocks with hidden seam techniquesAdding sashing between QAYG blocksTraditional binding application and hand-stitching the back