Step One: Check your sewing machine needle plate
As we've said before, most quilts have a 1/4" seam allowance, If your machine does not have a 1/4" marking, place a piece of masking or artist's tape on the plate of your machine, 1/4" away from the needle. This will be your guide for sewing. Set your machine for a small straight stitch.

Step Two: Remember, always put fabric right sides together!
Line up your first two quilt pieces right sides together, and place with cut edges along your 1/4" mark on your machine. Sew together. Press all seam allowances to one side as you sew. If you have light and dark fabrics, press towards the darker fabric, so that the seams do not show through the other side.

Step Three: Continue sewing pattern peices together
Follow the instructions or diagrams in your quilt pattern, until you have completed one block. Don't forget to press as you go along. Measure the block to ensure that you have cut and sewn your pieces correctly. Don't forget - this sample block should be 1/4" larger all around than the finished block will be. If everything measures correctly, go to step four!

Step Four: Begin sewing your other blocks.
Okay, you've completed your first sample block. It looks good! Now it's time to cut the rest of your fabric, and to sew your other blocks. As we said in the "Cutting" section, cut large pieces first, in the dimensions indicated by your pattern.

Finish sewing all the quilt blocks in the first row, joining the blocks together with 1/4" seams. When you have completed one row, sew the next row. Then join the two rows together: Alternate pressing the seams - row one, press to the left, row two press to the right. This will help your quilt block lay more smoothly.

Place rows right side together. Match up seams. Pin in place if necessary. Sew together 1/4" from the cut edge. Press all seams towards one side.

Keep repeating this process until all your rows are complete.

Step Five: How to do a border.
You have sewn together all your blocks and joined them in rows. Now it's time to surround your quilt top with a border.

Just follow these easy steps.

Always do your side strips first. Pin side strips to side of quilt top.

Sew, using your 1/4" seam allowance. Next, add strips to the other side of your quilt.

Line your top strips against the top of your quilt. Cut off excess fabric. Sew top strip. Follow the same step for the bottom strip.

The sewing of your quilt top is finished. Continue to Quilting, Binding & Finishing.