My Stamp Collection block uses a piece of lightweight fusible interfacing to quickly piece 100 tiny squares into a 15” x 15” block. This method helps to keep seams straight and makes a block with reinforced seam allowances that “stay put” making them especially easy to handle and sew into a larger quilt.
Although my process is my own, using interfacing to piece little squares isn’t something I invented. Quilters have been doing this in various forms since at least the 1990’s and it’s been especially popular among quilters making Impressionism-inspired Watercolor Quilts. In fact, there are gridded interfacing products made specifically for this purpose (more on that in the next post).
My favorite thing about this method is that it allows me to carefully arrange a bunch of squares “just so,” fuse them in place, and then sew them together without having to keep track of which row is which or which square went where. Making multiple blocks using this technique makes it possible to create a quilt with more varied blocks than one would get using strip piecing (which necessarily involves repetition in the arrangement of the fabrics).
When I first tried piecing with interfacing, I was concerned that it would make a quilt that was overly stiff but, after having my green and black gingham quilt around for a couple of years and numerous washes, I’m happy to report that it’s actually quite snuggly. I think that having the sashing between the interfaced blocks probably helps.
I’ve written a two-part tutorial about my process, which you can find here:
Stamp Collection: Materials and Supplies
Stamp Collection: Making the Block
Thanks to Rachel for linking to my posts today as part of her Scrap Attack Quilt-Along!
Note: My posts focus only on the interfacing method that I use. If you prefer not to use interfacing, or to use a different product, don’t hesitate to experiment with that and find a method that works better for you.
