Using Fusible Grid with Small Squares

Mar 30, 2019 | Minecraft, Quilts, Tutorials | 0 comments

Some of you may be wondering what this fusible grid is that I keep referring to (and have listed in the supply list and patterns), or asking if it’s necessary to use when you could just sew the small squares together. The answer is no, it is not necessary, but the results do turn out better in the end. The reason is because it provides a solid, stable base when sewing the small squares together in rows, and sewing the squares together separately (standard piecing) the bias from the fabric comes into play, even though they are cut as a square – they are very small!

Take a look at these 2 images: The top image is my Minecraft Chicken Mug Rug top, sewn together without using fusible grid (and slightly smaller squares). The second is the quilt block using fusible grid. The white background helps the outer squares blend together, but you can see in the beak and tongue areas they don’t always line up exactly in the mug rug; using the fusible grid below it turned out much better.

So here is my method of using fusible grid to make the Minecraft Quilt Blocks. What I found at my local quilt shop was QuiltFuse 2″ fusible grid HTC-3240-White, 48″ wide:

Step 1:

Cut out the squares for the block, and the piece of fusible grid you are going to use – just cut on the grid lines and make sure you are only cutting through one layer. (There wasn’t much left on the bolt so they sent it home with me, it was folded double on the bolt).

Step 2:

Assemble the block squares on the grid, edge to edge. It should be close to the grid lines on the fusible fabric, but it may not be exact. Take your time to cut your 2″ squares exactly and you should be okay.

Step 3:

Iron all the squares in place on the fusible grid – glue side up, grid side down – hot iron, no steam. The glue isn’t that strong and the pieces may fall off before you are done sewing every row. That happened to me at least once every block, just make sure to iron that piece back into place and be careful moving the block back and forth to your sewing machine, ironing board and cutting table.

Step 4: Fold one row or column over, i.e. column 8 folded over onto column 7 and iron flat, like this:

I have found that the grid is a little slippery when sewing, so it is helpful to have a quilting glove on the left hand while I sew the 1/4″ seam to help guide the fabric through uniform and straight.

Step 5: Sew 1/4″ seam to connect these 2 columns:

Step 6:

Cut off just the edge of the fold, just enough to allow you to iron the seam open:

Step 7:

Fold the next column over and iron flat, column 7 folded over column 6:

Step 8:

Sew another 1/4″ seam and cut off just the fold. Iron open.

Step 9:

Repeat this process for the remaining columns.

Step 10:

Rotate the block and fold the top row down over the second row:

Step 11:

Iron flat and sew 1/4″ to combine these two rows:

Step 12: Cut off just the fold and iron seam open:

Step 13:

Repeat this process until all rows are complete:

Step 14:

Your block is done!

As you can see with this finished Minecraft Cow quilt block, the squares line up nicely, even if sewing it together using the fusible grid wasn’t the fastest method, or even the easiest. But it’s done, it’s solid, and it looks great!

I would love to hear if the fusible grid worked as well for you as it did for me, and share your blocks with me – find me on Instagram @myrainydaydesigns and use the hashtag #MinecraftQAL.