We have arrived at the end of Block 2019 and what a year it has been! Together we have challenged our creativity and technical skill to make classic quilt blocks. It’s been a joy and pleasure to see the blocks you make each month. Now it’s time to finish the quilt. Below are traditional Block 2019 finishing instructions and below that are Quilt-As-You-Go Block 2019 finishing instructions. As with all things Block 2019, check out both options, experiment to find what works best for you, and feel empowered to strike out on your own finish the quilt any way you like.
72″ x 72″
Fabric Requirements (for the whole quilt)
Gray — 3 1/8 yards
Aqua — 2 yards
Dark Blue — 2 yards
Coral — 1 3/8 yards
Binding — 5/8 yards
Backing — 4 3/4 yards
Batting — Queen size (approximately 90 x 108)
Finishing your quilt with the Quilt-As-You-Go method? Keep scrolling to the second half of the post for instructions!
Traditional Block 2019 Finishing Instructions
Cutting Instructions (Traditional Finishing)
From the gray fabric, cut:
(12) 12½” x 12½”
(8) 2½” x 4½”
(7) 2½” x WOF strips sewn together with a diagonal seam and subcut into:
- (2) 2½” x 60½”
- (2) 2½” x 64½”
From the aqua fabric, cut:
(32) 2½” x 4½”
From the dark blue fabric, cut:
(4) 4½” x 4½”
(56) 2½” x 4½”
From the coral fabric, cut:
(32) 2½” x 4½”
From the binding fabric, cut:
(8) 2½” x Width of Fabric (WOF)
Border Assembly
Lay the aqua, dark blue, coral, and gray 2½” x 4½” as shown below.
Row measures 4½” x 32½” unfinished. Make 8.
Sew two rows together so the gray strips touch as shown. Measures 4½” x 64½” unfinished. Make 2 for the left & right outer borders.
On the remaining rows, sew a dark blue 4½” square to the aqua end of a row as shown. Measures 4½” x 36½” unfinished. Repeat to make 4.
Sew two rows together so the gray strips touch as shown. Measures 4½” x 72½” unfinished. Make 2 for the top and bottom outer borders.
Quilt Assembly
Lay the blocks and gray setting blocks out into 5 rows of 5 blocks as shown below. Sew the blocks into rows and the rows into the quilt center. Quilt center measures 60½” x 60½” unfinished.
Sew the gray 2½” x 60½” inner borders to the left and right sides of the quilt, and press. Then sew the 2½” x 64½” inner borders to the top and bottom of the quilt. Quilt center measures 64½” x 64½” unfinished.
Sew the left and right side outer borders to the left and right side of the quilt, and press. Then sew the top and bottom outer borders to the top and bottom of the quilt. Quilt measures 72½” x 72½” unfinished.
Quilt as desired and bind using your preferred method.
Quilt-As-You-Go Block 2019 Finishing Instructions
We’ve shared quilting ideas for each block throughout the year and instructions for creating quilt sandwiches for finishing the quilt with a Quilt-As-You-Go (QAYG) method. Below are instructions for finishing the quilt using a QAYG method.
Additional Yardage Needed for QAYG method:
1⅝ yards for backing strips (match to backing)
Cutting Instructions
(27) 2” x WOF strips sewn together and subcut into:
- (20) 2” x 12½”
- (6) 2” x 60½”
- (4) 2” x 64½”
- (2) 2” x 72½”
Joining Method
Cut the top and backing pieces the same size, and cut the batting piece ½” smaller.
Place the backing fabric wrong side up and the batting over it. Then place the top piece right side up over the batting to create a quilt sandwich. Baste using your preferred method.
Quilt the sandwich however you like. It is just fine to quilt to the edge.
Press a 2” strip in half.
The strip should be as long as the blocks/pieces being sewn together.
Place the two quilt sandwiches right sides together with the strip on top of them so the raw edges all align.
Pin or clip the raw edges. Using craft clips can help prevent shifting and handle bulk easier than pins.
Use a walking foot and stitch a ¼” seam to join the quilt sandwiches and strip.
Check that all the layers were sewn. Press the seam away from the folded strip, and then press the front. Once everything looks the way you like, fold the strip over the seam and pin.
Hand stitch the folded edge down for a clean-looking finish.
Hand Stitching
To create invisible stitches, thread matching thread (contrasting thread shown for demonstration) and tie a knot in one end. Bury the knot in the folded strip and bring the tip of the needle out the folded edge. Bring the needle down into the backing/batting layers of the quilt sandwich parallel to where needle came out of the folded edge. Take a stitch forward, making sure not to stitch through to the top layer. Bring the needle up and take a small stitch from the folded edge. Stitch forward through the backing/batting layers again, coming up in the folded edge. Repeat for the rest of the strip. Tie off at the end and hide the ends in the folded edge.
QAYG Assembly
Inner Border
From the gray fabric, cut (7) 2½” x WOF strips and sew them together with a diagonal seam into a continuous strip. Then cut the following:
- (2) 2½” x 60½”
- (2) 2½” x 64½”
Repeat with the backing fabric and cut:
- (2) 2½” x 60½”
- (2) 2½” x 64½”
From the batting cut:
- (2) 2” x 60”
- (2) 2” x 64”
Baste the top, batting and backing together. Quilt as desired.
Outer Border Assembly
Lay the aqua, dark blue, coral, and gray 2½” x 4½” as shown below.
Row measures 4½” x 32½” unfinished. Make 8.
Sew two rows together so the gray strips touch as shown, and use the 2” x 4½”. Measures 4½” x 64½” unfinished. Make 2 for the left & right outer borders. Layer with 4″ x 64″ batting and 4½” x 64½” backing and quilt as desired.
On the remaining rows, sew a dark blue 4½” square to the aqua end of a row as shown. Measures 4½” x 36½” unfinished. Repeat to make 4.
Sew two rows together so the gray strips touch as shown. Measures 4½” x 72½” unfinished. Make 2 for the top and bottom outer borders. Layer with 4″ x 72″ batting and 4½” x 64½” backing and quilt as desired.
Quilt Assembly
Lay the blocks and gray setting blocks out into 5 rows of 5 blocks as shown below. Sew the blocks into rows and use the 2” x 12½” backing strips to finish the back. Sew the rows together using four of the 2” x 60½” backing strips into the quilt center. Quilt center measures 60½” x 60½” unfinished.
Sew the gray 2½” x 60½” inner borders to the left and right sides of the quilt using two of the 2” x 60½” backing strips to finish the back. Then sew the 2½” x 64½” inner borders to the top and bottom of the quilt and use two of the 2” x 64½” backing strips to finish the back. Quilt center measures 64½” x 64½” unfinished.
Sew the left and right side outer borders to the left and right side of the quilt, with two of the 2” x 64½” backing strips to finish the back. Then sew the top and bottom outer borders to the top and bottom of the quilt with the 2” x 72½” backing strips to finish the back. Quilt measures 72½” x 72½” unfinished.
Bind using your preferred method.
Be sure to join the AQS Quilting Project Parade Facebook group to share your progress, get inspired, and join in the fun. We can’t wait to see what you make!
