Now that we have completed the first three blocks for the Power of Nine quilt-a-long it’s time for the next step in the Quilt As You Go tutorial!
If you’re following the qaug method please read QAUG Part 1 first.
In this post, I am going to be working on the spacer blocks for my scrappy version of the ‘Power of Nine’ quilt. 
There are 4 spacer blocks in each row and 16 total:
To get started on my first row, I precut the 4 spacer blocks for the front of my quilt:
(note measurements below~ I added 1/4″ to size for squaring)
and I also cut all sixteen batting pieces ~ I’m using Warm and White batting…
I’m strip piecing the back of the spacer block to make the back more interesting (see qaug part 1 for back diagram)
It’s perfect for using up some jelly roll strips I had in my stash. I randomly scrap pieced all 16 blocks so I’m ready for quilting as I get to each row…
If you like my strip pieced backing ~ I pieced the following strips with 1/4″ seam. The pieced unit measures 8″ x 13 1/2″
Now that my all my pieces are prepped, I’m ready to quilt my first spacer block!
Instructions on Completing a Spacer Block with the QAUG Method:
Prepare your quilt sandwich~
(top) 7 1/4″ x 12 3/4″ spacer piece right side up
(middle) 7 1/2″ x 13″ cut of batting
(bottom) 8″ x 13 1/2″ pieced backing, right side down
Baste your layers with pins / basting stitch / basting spray ~ whatever your preferred method.
Mark out a quilt plan (optional). I decided to follow a diamond design without any horizontal stitching so it wouldn’t compete with the horizontal strip piecing on the back of my block. I marked the center of each side and connected the marks using this water erasable marker.
I continued to mark inner diamonds and then stitched over them with my walking foot…
After I stitched my diamond outlines I filled in a section with free motion pebbles.
Here are the steps if you like this design…
When I finished all my quilting, I sprayed the top with water to erase the diamond marker lines (I love this part!) After it dried I squared to size:
Here is the backside…
Done!
Here are all the remaining quilt as you go posts:
Read ALL The Related Posts HERE:
Hi Sherri, I am Bonnie and I am visiting from Salisbury, South Australia. Excellent clear instructions and photos. I will be visiting your site again. I have done a bit of QAYG but I haven’t joined pre-quilted blocks. Only crazy log cabin.
Hello. I am Marion visiting from Moose Jaw Sask Canada. I have just started to learn quilting. I have fallen in love with this style and I am getting as much info on it as I can. The small pieces appeal to me as they seem to be easier to handle.Love your tutorials. They are very well presented.Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.Happy Sewing.