2026 Mystery Quilt: Assembly Part 1

It’s time to join your blocks!

I’ve used a mix of quilt as you go and traditional methods to sew the quilt together.

Because we haven’t added the backing in the hoop, we need to add it as we join them.
There are lots of different ways to quilt-as-you-go (and I’ll be exploring those inside the Society of Stitchers over the next few months).

For this quilt, we’re going to sew the blocks together in sections, add the backing to each section, then join the sections together, using one of those QAYG methods.

You can use the same backing fabric for all the sections, or have some fun and pick different fabrics.

Before you start, trim all the blocks 1/4″ away from the outer stitching line. I cut away the stabiliser close to the stitching first, so it’s not included in the seam allowance.

Organise your blocks into piles for each sections, using the layout picture above as a guide.

Use the stitching lines around the perimeter of the block as a guide to join blocks together. I line up the mark on my foot between the two lines of stitching – the one that secures the batting and the one that secures the main fabric. 

Join the blocks in columns, then sew the columns together. Lesson two has diagrams of how the blocks are arranged in all 7 sections.

Use pins or clips to match seams where they meet. Press as you go. I like to press seams to one side but press them open if you prefer. 

Centre each assembled section on the backing fabric, secure with pins in the centre of each block, and stitch in the ditch between the blocks – I used a serpentine stitch for extra texture. Plus it’s a lot more forgiving – no worriyng about little wobbles!

NOTE: Stop your stitching an inch from the edges of the section, securing the thread ends.

Once all your sections are stitched to the backing fabric, we can begin to join them together.

More in Assembly: Part 2