What Is Flip Quilting?

Although machine quilting is faster, you can sew a flip quilt by hand.

Traditional quilting can be divided into four separate steps: sewing the front pieces together; assembling the batting and backing; connecting the front, batting and backing to the binding; and quilting through all layers. This time-consuming task produces beautiful results, but the process can alienate people who might find it too challenging. With flip quilting, all of these steps are combined into one single step.

Good for Beginners

Flip quilting is an ideal first-time quilting project. The process familiarizes you with the tasks necessary to create a quilt, but abbreviates them so as not to be overwhelming. With this technique, you can create bed-size quilts, wall hangings, baby quilts or even place mats. You can hand sew or use a sewing machine to make a flip quilt.

What Makes Flip Quilting Different?

As with traditional quilting, flip quilting begins with washing all fabric you will be using to prevent shrinking after the quilt is done. The difference between traditional and flip quilting comes next: Instead of sewing all fabric pieces together for the front of the quilt and then stitching the quilted pattern through the quilt’s layers, you assemble all the quilt layers and sew the pieces together through the layers at the same time. The stitches you make when sewing the front pieces together serve as the quilting as well, so there is no need to go back and quilt the layers together later.

Keep It Simple

Flip quilting works well when you are using a simple geometric design, such as a simple sequence of equilateral strips or a centered box surrounded by border strips. It doesn’t preclude more complex designs, but because flip quilting is more attractive to beginning quilters, simple designs are more desirable.

Basic Tips

The flip-quilting technique will be easier if you follow these basic tips. Use a walking foot mechanism when machine sewing to keep the bottom layer moving at the same rate as the top layer. Alternate which end you begin sewing first to avoid fabric distortions. Another idea is to try a spray basting product instead of pinning the pieces together to save time.

References

• HGTV: Stitch ‘n’ Flip Baby Quilt

Resources

• HGTV: Stitch ‘n’ Flip Baby Quilt