Web-Piecing - a Quilting Shortcut - Diary of a Quilter

I'm a big fan of shortcuts when it comes to quilting. Today guest contributor, Lisa Donnelly shares one of my favorite techniques for when you're piecing lots of patchwork pieces together. Sometimes called "Web-Piecing" or "Net Piecing" this is an advanced (but super simple) application of Chain Piecing that saves time and thread by sewing multiple quilt pieces in a continuous line without lifting the presser foot or cutting the thread between each unit. I'll let Lisa walk you through the step-by-step process.

Hello! I'm Lisa Donnelly from Wild Plum Lane quilts, and I am excited to be back here on the Diary of a Quilter blog. Today I'd like to share with you an easy technique to help you stay organized, preserve your layouts, and wrap up your Works-in-Progress (WIPs)…so you can snuggle up in your beautiful finished quilt(s)!

From left to right: Savannah, Wind Blossom, and Scrappy Stamps quilt patterns

"Web Piecing" quilt block shortcut technique

Have you tried web piecing before (sometimes called net piecing)? It's an easy way to keep track of what-goes-where as you're piecing anything from units of a block to an entire quilt top. And since I'm always looking for ways to stay organized and be more efficient while quilting, when I came across web piecing, I knew it would be a game changer…especially while putting together the blocks for my free Scrappy Stamps quilt pattern!

In this short tutorial, we are going to learn how to put together a single patchwork block, similar to the blocks you'll find in the Scrappy Stamps pattern. These blocks are 6 columns and 6 rows of (36) 2 ½" squares, so grab some scraps (or a pack of 2 ½" squares!) from your stash and let's get started!

How to Use Web Piecing

The first thing you'll want to do is lay out your pieces in the orientation you'd like them to finish. Whether you use a design wall, design board, or simply find a flat area in your sewing space, lay out those 2 ½" pieces in any way that is aesthetically pleasing to you!

Below is a diagram to refer to as we continue through the tutorial showing the orientation of the rows and columns.

To begin sewing the block together using the web piecing technique, we will start with Row 1. Place the Column 2 piece right side together (RST) on top of the Column 1 piece and sew a ¼" seam on the right side of the two pieces.

Place Row 1, Column 2 on Row 1, Column 1 and sew a ¼" seam

Then - and this is the important part! - DO NOT cut the thread! Simply take the first two 2 ½" squares in Row 2, place them as you did for Row 1, and continue sewing them together.

Repeat this process for remaining rows until the first two pieces in each row are sewn together (essentially chain pieced)…and are connected by thread - this becomes the web!

Next, open up the first two pieces in each row. You will continue by placing the Column 3 piece on top of the Column 2 piece in each row and sewing your ¼" seam down the right-hand side, NOT cutting the thread. Repeat this process for all (6) rows so you have 3 pieces sewn together in each row.

A diagram that you can right click to download is below, in case it is helpful. (The three arrows before the final image essentially mean to "fast forward," repeating the process for Columns 4-6!)

Continue adding the next column piece in each row to the pieces already sewn together until you have all 6 rows pieced together and connected by thread along each of the vertical seams. You now have a web pieced block! The best part? You can shake it up, throw it down, sit on it, or stuff it in a corner and it will *stay in the correct layout*!

After you're done celebrating your success thus far, press rows in opposite directions (Row 1 to the right, Row 2 to the left, Row 3 back to the right, and so on). Then, leaving the webbing intact and working from the top down, place Row 1 RST onto Row 2, nesting seams, and sew your ¼" seam to join the rows. Repeat with remaining rows until the entire block is sewn together.

And easy-peasy, you've got a finished Scrappy Stamps quilt block! The web makes it so there's no guessing, no constant referrals to your layout photo on your phone (this *might* be something I have struggled with!), and no accidental mix-ups…because the seams are already connected!

Now that you've learned the technique, you can use it with anything that is pieced together in rows…whether it is these sweet little Scrappy Stamps blocks, block components for another quilt pattern, or a full quilt layout.

Web Piecing Troubleshooting

Now…what to do if you accidentally cut the thread as you're trying to piece your "web" together? Well, you can certainly leave it as-is and continue sewing on the next column, which will then help hold everything together. Alternatively, you can go back and start sewing along the seam approximately ½" from the bottom of the row on top and continue sewing at least ½" into the seam on the bottom piece. That should hold the rows together securely enough while you continue assembling the block.

I hope this tutorial has been helpful for you and that you can use it to keep your layouts neat and organized as you piece your blocks and quilts together. Be sure to grab your FREE copy of the Scrappy Stamps quilt pattern so you can continue practicing web piecing.

And finally…I'd love to see your web pieced projects! Let us all know in the comments if you try it out, or tag me on Instagram @wildplumlane.quilts so I can cheer you on, too. Happy quilting!

Thank you so much Lisa!! Web piecing is one of my go-to quilting hacks, whether its small postage-stamp blocks, or piecing a whole quilt, this technique saves time and thread!