Beginner Quilt Piecing Tips - Quilting Basics Tutorial #2 with Leah Day

Each month Leah will release a new block pattern for you to follow along piecing and quilting. The patterns include both piecing AND machine quilting designs and templates for you to use to mark your quilt blocks. You'll also find new quilting video tutorials to guide you every step of the way.

At the end of the year we'll trim down our blocks and bind them together to create a beautiful Flower Festival quilt! This Quilt-as-you-Go technique is perfect for beginner level quilters with small home sewing machines.

[nch]

It may appear to be slow at first but then you realise that everything is done for a reason, the result is inspiring and you slow down...! Like “don’t get frustrated, piecing takes YEARS to master”!
Thank you for the very good tutorial

[deewinston]

Thank you so much. I have been having so much trouble with trying to make my seams straight. You are an excellent teacher and at 73, beginner quilter, I’m understanding what is wrong and why I am having so many problems. Bless you❤️

[valeriestephen]

Thank you for your very informative teaching, you’re the only person I’ve seen who takes care to explain things with such precise detail which is what I need.

[nancypollard]

using that scrap piece at the beginning and end is genius. Thank you.

[MEC]

Thanks Leah! I've struggled with accurate piecing and matching seams. I've tried your fabric prep, cutting, pressing and stitching techniques with great results. My nine patches have matching seams. Thank you! Keep these great tutorials coming. :)

[deejcarter]

I’ve just started using starch and I’ll never go back. I’m shocked at how much easier it makes piecing.😱 I’m loving these tips.

[karengardiner]

Your seams are so perfect. You are a great Teacher with precision. 😊

[annamelven]

Thank you so much for doing these videos, I have been totally winging it and not been very pleased with my results. Now I know why! So thank you a million times over

[orvetakecskes]

Leah I am just beginning to do my first throw quilt. I watched and watched your videos on each step. You are a great teacher! Keep the videos coming!

[susannipp]

I've been using the quarter inch guide. Time to change. When I use the quilting walking foot, do I also need the rotary hook? Love all you're teaching me. Thank you.

[tamelascaggs]

Enjoying your tutorials! Many say to press to the dark side. Why don't you do that and does it make a difference if you use a longarm? Also, when cutting fabric, are the ruler lines on the fabric or outside the fabric?

[beth]

Thanks for your helpful videos - don’t know how I’d have made a quilt without you. Question: what is the name of the pressure foot you are using? Thank you!

[caroljpenn]

Hi there Leah, I enjoyed watching your video. I am in the process of getting quilting tools, fabric etc together to start my 1st quilting experience. I have seen some videos on leaving seams and pressing in opposite directions. I like your method too. Is there any times you do need to press seams to the sides?Thank you.

[sharonc]

Great video, as always. I am so glad to hear that you press with a dry iron! Many other sites recommend steam, but every time I attempt using steam it ends up distorting my block something awful....so, I must be doing it wrong, but I do prefer dry. Thanks!

[jol]

Hi. This was a great video - thank you. You mentioned another video about learning to cut accurately. Can you please send me the link to that video. I didn’t see it in the video notes. Sorry if I missed it. Thanks again.

[jleclerc]

I really enjoy your videos! What size needle are you using? Thank you!

[dianemadden]

Why dont you back stitch on the ends so the stitching dont come apart

[sueraabe]

Why do so many people recommend a scant 1/4" seam? I tried using colored tape to guide the fabric, but ended up ripping it out many times! I finally gave up and used the 1/4" foot, and used a fussy cut ruler to check it. The seam was a scant 1/4". Is it OK for the starch to leave a residue? The store didn't have the brand I used to use, and this brand seems to leave a white film on it. I'm a beginner, and decided I would learn from only one person, so as not to get confused. My friend gave me your book, and I find you instructions very clear and easy to understand. Thanks for explaining one topic at a time in your videos.

[RonsonDalby]

Hi Leah, you appear to be using the machine's 1/4 inch foot. These are normally exactly a 1/4 inch rather than a scant 1/4. Is that correct?

[witsnap]

thank you so much for this video! Super helpful!