Tube Quilting Technique!

September 16, 2009 By 41 Comments

So this is an AMAZING, fun and fast way to make a block, that has the look of a “string quilt” block or  an hourglass block.   The cool thing about this idea is that you are able to either make it very matchy-matchy or you have the freedom to make it very random and scrappy.  Their are also a lot of other ways to put it together, and you achieve a totally different look however you choose to lay it out!

All kinds of ideas are mulling around in my head of what else is possible with this technique.   Jelly Rolls make this so easy, too!  (I already have plans to piece one with honey bun strips.)  I can’t wait to show you!  I swear, once you try it you will be SO hooked.

Here is the ‘Main’ tutorial for the technique…..Oh man, you are gonna love it.

Quilting Tutorial

Ps.  We’d love to see a shot of your project, if you make one…..We don’t care if it is finished or in progress. (upload a pic to our forums, so we can all ooh and ahh over it!!)    :)

Have a fabulous day.

fabric used in the demonstration:  One arcadia jelly roll (first video) and Moda Orange Bella Solid

second video:  We used Moda Swirls (Hunter green), Holly Jolly snowmen and I believe in Santa by Nancy Halverson (Burgundy/red, by Benartex)

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  • http://colleensquiltingjourneytooz Colleen

    I enjoyed your tubular demo – thanks!
    Colleen

  • http://jackiesquilting.blogspot.com/ Jackie

    Enjoyed your tutorials!

  • Nancy Page

    Great Videos. Love the technique!

  • http://www.withthreadinhand.blogspot.com Nancy Lee

    I must share this with my quilt guild… what a fun idea.. and quick…

  • Kristi Palmer

    That is SO COOL!!! I love the technique–thanks for sharing.

  • Kevin B.

    Quick question, why 4.25″? Wouldn’t it be 4.5″ (2.5 + 2.5 – .5)? Love the idea and the technique.

  • jenny

    Yes you are right! So whatever the size of the strip you cut and sew…just measure and cut the contrasting fabric to the size of your strip set! And have fun! Thanks for your comment

  • Kathy Henk

    Thanks for sharing a new (to me)technique. I’m going to try tube quilting this afternoon!

  • Judith Brumm

    Love the tube quilt demo! Is this in pattern in a book? I need a visual on the sewing table to use as I go. Afraid that by the time I get ready to make this pattern I will forget something and the tutorial will be gone!
    Thanks

  • Kathy Henk

    I have one really nice square from tube quilting. I used material I cut from fat quarters and I seemed to have a lot of waste. Should I be using longer pieces of fabric?

  • Diana

    really help me love it

  • Wanda Hernandez

    Hi,

    I just saw this tutorial, and really liked it. I made some blocks this afternoon, and it was very easy. I like the way it came out, but I think my fabric selections are WAY TOO BUSY. But my husband said they were busy in a nice way. Whatever that means! Anyhow… I wanted to share a picture with you. But don’t know how to submit them. Can you please email me and tell me where I can send the photos? wih12976@gmail.com Thanks, Wanda!!

  • http://www.auntiehenno@aol.com Helen Ellerbach

    What amarvelous sit, you make things so much easier for the quilter. Thanks!

  • Calico Grammy

    Looks like so much fun! And easy, too.
    Can’t wait to try.
    This is my first time visit, but~~~~I’ll be back!!!!
    Thank you!

  • julo

    What a cool technique! Do you have to be careful sewing the blocks together since the edges are cut on the bias?

  • http://missouriquiltco.com sarah

    we have actually had NO problem with that…..and the points match up perfectly!! Really, it is amazing! Have you tried it yet??

  • Arlene

    This is awsome, never thought about even trying this still I watched you. Thanks so much

  • lana stover

    I love your tutorials. Is there any way to print the directions? I will forget what I did in a few months. Help me if you can.
    Thanks so much……….lanastover@hotmail.com

  • Diane

    Just watched the video on tube quilting and Ihave a question?????? If you sew 2 – 2 1/2″ strips together
    wouldn’t you get a piece 4 1/2″ not 4 1/4″????
    Wouldn’t you cut the solid strip 4 1/2″ wide?????
    Or am I doing something wrong.

  • http://IPurr-FurrtoCraft Sue Niven

    thank you so much, I think this is just purrfect to get me started on quilting. My goal for next year.

  • http://www.bejeweledquilts.blogspot.co Barbara

    Loved your tutorial…thanks soooo much!!!!

  • JohnnieKay

    Your this tube style of quilting so quick, and can use up so many left over pieces of material. Thanks for this idea,

  • Phyllis, Tx

    I live at the bottom of the world, way down! What would I do without your tutorials, well I just don’t know. I do know this I must go to bed at night and stop watching “The Missouri Star Quilt Co.
    Oh well, thank you so much for the fun and the ideas you give an old quilter of 75.

  • Sheli

    I just watched your tut and boy how fun is this???? Can you tell me how big the 4 squares together turn out to be? I have the 3 fabrics and I need the block to be a 12 1/2″ square and am not sure how big to make each strip. Can you help me with this?

  • PghPat

    Loved your demo on tube quilting – I'm on my way to the sewing room to try it out!!!! Thank you!!!

  • Cindy R.

    You know, I was skeptical on this…sewing BOTH sides together, but I tell you, TRY it on scraps of material (that you can cut into 2 1/2 ” strips and make your own “jelly roll”) and do it! You will be amazed, its like magic! It works and even my not normal colors I would normally choose turned out PERFECT! I am so hooked on jelly rolls now and what beautiful patterns! Thanks ladies!

  • Lbecker11

    Such fun!

  • Esmeraldsaddg

    Just found this. Brilliant! Going to use it a lot.

  • Ana Leblanc

    Love your tutorials. Very creative. Thanks for sharing!:)

  • Gail Cosens

    this is a unique idea and really enjoyed the class I just finished. thanks

  • Sarah

    Thank you Gail for your sweet comment! SO glad you have enjoyed your class! Hoe you have a great day!

  • Victoria Gillis

    What a great idea for an easy way to make a table runner! I’m going to do these for all my sibblings for Christmas this year!

  • Beverly

    I don’t understand how u can sew 2 pieces of 2.5 in together with a .25 seam and get a strip 4.25 in.  2.5 + 2.5 equals 5.0 less 2 (.25 in seam allowances) equals a strip 4.5 in. by my mathmatics. Can u help me understand please? Beverly

  • http://twitter.com/gaprhonda Rhonda J. Laws

    Yes you are right. I am sure it was a simple mistake but 4 1/2″ seems like the correct measurement to me. 

  • bumbleshe

    I have just started doing some quilting and loved the concept of tube quilting. The blocks are so easy to do! Even I can do it. Thanks so much!

  • chrissie1370

    what if you do not have a ruler with the line through it I just have a straight ruler is there something else i can use?

    Thank You
    Christine

  • Merlin

    This technique is really generating alot of excitement-good for you.  I am going to try it myself as I have had 2 beginning quilting students ask me about this.  I noticed that you commented that you have had no problem with all those bias edges, but I think it would only be fair to caution people about them.  Beginners have no idea what they are getting into with bias.

  • Judyr8

    Take a square piece of paper, fold it diagonally to get your 45degree angle. Then mark with a sharpie that angle onto one end of your ruler and line that mark up on the seam. Not perfect, but would work in a pinch.

  • Natalie

    That is a really great idea Judy! Thanks for sharing!

  • sewfar

    I just discovered this fun tutorial, but I have a question: If you want to make the hour glass design or the square in square, you won’t get the points if you sew the larger blocks together. They will be cut off in the seam allowance. Am I doing something wrong??? Thanks for any help you can offer.

  • JenM

    Thanks for asking. There’s should actually be enough seam allowance to keep the points here.