Let’s continue creating our Pockets Full of Blessings Wall Quilt, as row by row, this pocket quilt grows!
Yesterday, we started on the pocket units. Now that all 24 are finished, it’s time to piece them together.
First, change your needle. You’ll need a new, sharp, patchwork and quilting needle to negotiate the layers of these pockets, joined together. You’ll be going through six layers of fabric at some points, so to ensure straight 1/4″ seams, get a new needle.
When joining the pockets together, press the seams to one side, and then the other.
Pin the pockets together so that not only the edges are aligned, but also the pocket diagonals.
I found it easier to align the pockets (right sides together) first and then pin it at the first meeting of two pockets, then align the rest of the unit. Make sure that all the pockets face the same way, with the openings toward the top of the wall quilt. No really, take a minute to check this.
As I was playing around with the pocket units’ placement, I accidentally placed two or three units on their sides — making them ineffective as pockets.
Take your time to sew the rows together. There’s a lot of fabric meeting in various seams as the pocket units go together.
Sew two pockets together, and then join another two, making a row of four pocket units.
You’ll be making six rows of four pocket units.
When you’ve got a row pieced together, press all the seams to one side — it’s okay to use some steam now that the diagonals are stabilized in the pocket units.
On the next row you piece, press the seams to the other side.
This is important once it’s time to sew the rows together because it allows the seams to butt together (see photo above).
Sew the rows together and press the seams toward the bottom of the quilt.
Cutting the border strips for the Pockets Full of Blessings Wall Quilt.
Cut four borders strips, 3″ wide, across the width of the fabric. Sew a border strip to the top and bottom of the wall quilt. Trim. Press the seam toward the quilt.
Sew the border strips to the sides of the quilt. Trim. Press the seam toward the quilt.
There! Your fabulous Pockets Full of Blessings Wall Quilt top is finished.
That was fun, right?
Come on back tomorrow, when we put this sweet little Pockets Full of Blessings wall quilt together.