Fidget Quilts: Assembly

Fidget Quilt index

You have finished all 12 blocks! Congratulations!

Now we are ready to put is all together.

Materials:

12 blocks finished blocks: About 7"x8.5" (Don't stress out if they are not all the same size!)
9 pieces of Minke cloth 9"x13"
Small sewing clip (reusable)

Instructions:

Lay the 12 blocks out and arrange them so that the colors in the blocks contrast with each other, and similar activities are not next to each other.
Make sure that the hair and the ribbons aren't next to the zipper, where they could get caught.
You may want to put the photo block in a corner, with the opening facing into the quilt so that the photos don't fall out when you move it.
I try to arrange the blocks so that something is "right side up" no matter which way you fold it or, place it in the lap. I don't want to see it as having a direction.
When you are satisfied with the arrangement, use the sewing clips to fasten the blocks together, working one row at a time.
As you are fasteneing it together, shake it a bit so that the rribbons, hair, etc. is not caught in the seam.
With each block, check to make sure that anything that shouldn't be sewn down is free.
You may find it helpful to remove loose pieces like the finger puppets, the fruit, and the flowers.
You may also want to tape down things like the straps, or ribbons. .
Stitch two pieces together along the long edge, removing the clips as the needle gets close to them. Continue until you have a strip of 4 blocks.
Double check that everything is stiched that should be, and nothing is stitched that shouldn't be.
Next fasten two of the long strips together with the clips, taking the same precautions as before. Add the last strip, and the top is finished!
Arrange the 9 pieces of minke cloth for maximum contrast between the colors, then sew them together to make a back that is about 24"x24"
Stop: If you've done a lot of sewing, you probably think that you are going to put the right sides together, sew it on 3 sides, then turn it right side out.
We're NOT going to do that! We have to sew through some thick layers, watching out that we don't stitch anything that shouldn't be stitched, and making sure that we don't hit the zipper.
It is easier if we work from the top.
Put the wrong sides together, making each 9"x13" piece of Minke cloth behind two squares on the quilt. The minke cloth is a little bit bigger, but that's OK.
Work along one edge of the quilt. Turn in about 1/2" of the quilt block and finger press. If that puts something to close to the crease, turn in a bit less. Turn the minke cloth in also, matching the edges and clip. Make adjustments as needed.
Wheen you have pinned all 4 sides, lay it flat and look at it from borth side, make the necesary adjustments before stitching.
Top stitch 1/4" from the edge, making sure that the quilt top and bottom are stitched together. Continue until all 4 sides of the quilt are finished. Yay! Someone is going to be thrilled to get this quilt.
Check both front and back and snip off any loose threads.
Remove any tape that you used on the ribbons or straps, and replace any itmes such as the finger puppets, fruit, and flowers.
Print the letter to family and fold it and put it in the photo pocket.
Fold the quilt so that the face block is showing on the top.

Notes:

The sewing clips are realy useful. Some of the layers are too thick for pins, and I've been stuck with pins too many times.
If you sew the right sides together and turn it inside out, you still have to top stitch around the edges.
When you assemble the quilt, make sure the ribbons don't get caught in the seams.

Free instructions and patterns to make fidget quilts