Do you finish your quilt by blocking it?

by Nicole

My sure fire way to finish quilts has been working like a charm.

Related: Want a sure fire way to finish your quilts?

Every free minute last week found me sitting at my machine, stitching one straight line after another.

fly_away_quilt_quilting2

Never mind that I thought the quilt would have been finished in September – hence the completion date on the label.

fly_away_quilt_label

It is October and the quilting is done!

Whenever I finish quilting a project, I always ask myself, “Should I block it?” The answer usually depends on how much time I have. In this case, I’m way ahead of my December deadline for the 2016 Finish-Along so I blocked the quilt.

If you are new to blocking, you may be wondering what the point of blocking is. Blocking is a way of using moisture to reshape a quilt. There are many different ways to block a quilt. Google “quilt blocking” and you’ll see the variety! And there are lots of tutorials on the internet in case you are interested in giving blocking a try.

Over the years, I have experimented with a few different ways to block a quilt. With my latest technique, I throw the quilt in the washing machine on a regular wash cycle before binding. I then lay out the damp quilt on the carpet and use a 20″ acrylic ruler to help me shape the corners into even edges. I throw in a few pins to help keep the quilt in place and walk away to let the blocking do its magic.

fly_away_quilt_blocking

And magic it is! Once the quilt is completely dry, it is nice and flat and a cinch to trim and square up.

While I was waiting for the quilt to dry, I got the binding cut, pressed and ready to sew. Now, all I need is a dry quilt and a little bit of stitching time!

fly_away_quilt_binding

What about you – do you block?

Nicole Neblett signoff Modern Quilting blog

You may also like

8 comments

Dyanne Willow October 24, 2016 - 10:59 am

I do not block, but I would love to know how you make your labels. Have you already done a tutorial on this? Many of my labels look like yours in that I’m finishing them months beyond my “finish” date! 😀

Nicole October 25, 2016 - 12:43 am

Hi Dyanne,
Good to know I’m not alone in being optimistic about finish dates! No tutorial on labels – I run the fabric through my printer.

Bobbi October 24, 2016 - 11:55 am

I block wall hangings and quilts that will be in shows. Other than that, I don’t block. I love the feeling of a quilt fresh out of the dryer.

Nicole October 25, 2016 - 12:44 am

Hi Bobbi,
So true – there’s nothing like a freshly dried quilt!

Paige October 24, 2016 - 2:43 pm

That’s basically the way I block also! I do throw it in the dryer for maybe 3 to 4 minutes to loosen or fluff all the fibers from being spun in the washer and then square up as you say.

Nicole October 25, 2016 - 12:45 am

Hi Paige,
Thanks for sharing the tip on the dryer! I’ll have to give that a try with the next quilt.

Jayne October 24, 2016 - 8:18 pm

I have never ever blocked a quilt. Maybe if it’s for a show (which I have never entered) I would change my mind.

Nicole October 25, 2016 - 12:50 am

Hi Jayne,
Yes, blocking makes a big difference for show quilts!

Comments are closed.