Week 3 - the Big Jam Quilt Along
A row‑by‑row quilt‑along that’s absolutely jam‑packed with joy
🍓 Week 3: Sewing Your Rows
Sunday 15th March
This week we’re moving from making the HST blocks to something that finally looks like a jam jar. With your half‑square triangles prepped and trimmed from last week, you’re ready to start sewing your rows together and watching each piece of fruit take shape.
There is something really satisfying about this stage, It is simple, rhythmic sewing, there is no need to rush, and there is nothing complicated about it. It is all about joining the squares together for each row, and gently watching it grow.
HST’s and Squares all cut and prepped.
🍑 What You’ll Be Doing This Week
• Laying out your pieces so you can see the rows grow
• Sewing each row with a calm, steady pace
• Pressing as you go to keep everything neat and easy to handle - I tell you how I press in the video below.
• Checking your seam allowances so your rows stay consistent - we are using a 1/4 inch seam allowance throughout.
• Enjoying that moment when you start to see the top of the jam jar come together.
This is the week where confidence grows. Even if you’re new to quilting, the structure of the rows makes everything feel manageable and clear.
🍋 Chain Piecing: Your Quiet Superpower
Chain piecing is one of those gentle, time‑saving techniques that makes row sewing feel effortless. Instead of stopping and starting with each pair of pieces, you simply feed them through your machine one after another, creating a little “chain” behind the needle.
It keeps your hands moving, your mind calm, and your pieces in order. It also reduces thread waste and helps maintain a steady seam allowance, two small wins that make a big difference in the final look of your rows.
A few simple tips:
• Lay out your pieces first so you know exactly what order they go in.
• Keep your chain intact until you’re ready to press; it helps everything stay organised.
• Snip between pieces after pressing so they stay crisp and ready for the next step.
It’s a lovely, meditative way to sew.
🍋 Tips for Smooth, Happy Rows
• Keep your layout nearby, you can use the row by row instructions or if you have used a different colourway then I would suggest that you keep that out next to your sewing machine.
• Sew with a consistent seam allowance; it’s the quiet hero of tidy rows, try and use your 1/4 inch foot if you have one.
• Press seams in opposite directions for each row. this means that when you come to sew the rows together they will nest nicely and your seams will match up.
Little checks now make next week’s assembly feel effortless
How I organise my sewn rows.
I like to hang my rows up from a little hook on the ceiling, using my sewing clips and a paper clip - nothing technical here, lol.
🍒 A Gentle Reminder
Your fruit doesn’t need to be perfect. The fun thing about the Jam Quilt is that it is going to be used. If a point is a little off or a seam wanders, it will still look beautiful in the finished quilt.
By the end of the week, you’ll have a lovely collection of fruity rows ready for the next stage, and that’s when the quilt really starts to feel alive.
Watch the video below
In week three I show you how I organise my sewing, row by row. I chat about which thread I am using, taking a look at the foot I now love on my new sewing machine, and also how I organise my rows ready for the next stage.
🍇 Share Your Basket
I’d love to see what flavours you’ve chosen. Share your fabric pull on Instagram or in the Facebook group using #BigJamQAL , it’s always such great fun to see the colour stories emerging across the community.
Loving the Gingham Fabric.
A fabric pull from one of my lovely customers.
Next week we’ll start sewing our rows together, and then we are nearly there.
How the Quilt Along Works
We’ll be sewing together over four Sundays, starting 1st March 2026.
Each week you’ll get:
A new blog post with clear step‑by‑step instructions
A pre‑recorded video you can watch anytime
Tips, close‑ups, and gentle guidance
A little story or two from my floating studio
There’s no pressure, no deadlines, and no live sessions to juggle. Just calm, cosy sewing whenever it suits you.
You can always buy a pre cut kit, and get jamming straight away. Scroll down to the bottom to see more.
what’s coming up
Week 4 - Sunday 22nd March
Put the jar together and finish the top. We are nearly there.
Get the Pattern
The full Jam Quilt pattern is now available to download from my website.
It includes:
Step‑by‑step instructions
Diagrams
Cutting charts
Colouring sheet
Fabric requirements
The Jam Quilt Pattern, available as a pdf download for just £10.00.
You can buy the fabric kit directly from me, and there is even a pre-cut kit available for those that want to get stuck in straight away.
What You’ll Need
Sewing machine
Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler
Thread
Pins or clips
Iron and ironing board
The Jam Quilt pattern
Nothing fancy - just the basics.
Join In
To share your progress and connect with fellow quilters, we invite you to join the Made on The Cut Facebook Group, where you can post your photos, ask questions, and enjoy community support throughout the Quilt Along.
Made on the Cut, quilting and sewing group | Facebook
A juicy little quilt‑along to sweeten your spring
