When I make one of my Inlay rag quilt blocks, there’s a particular order I follow. I always stitch the inlay in place first, then add the X stitching.
There’s a reason for that.
The X is stitched diagonally from corner to corner across the block. This means I’m sewing on the bias of the fabric, where there is naturally more stretch.
By stitching the inlay in place first, I’m securing it while the block is stable. Once the inlay is correctly positioned and stitched, I can add the diagonal X across the entire block, including across the inlay.
My standard combination is an 8” block with a 6.5” inlay. The inlay becomes the feature fabric in the centre of the block, while the fabrics surrounding it create that lovely thick ragging that frames it.
It may seem like a small detail, but the order in which I stitch the block is deliberate and is part of the method I’ve developed over the years.
Original Inlay Method by Raewyn Stewart
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