Quilt as you go Tutorial ~ Stitch and flip Method

I can’t believe we are already at Part 4 of the quilt-as-you-go tutorial in our quilt-a-long!

Now that we have completed (at least) the first six blocks for the Power of Nine quilt-a-long and joined them into rows with the spacer blocks, it’s time for the next step in the Quilt As You Go tutorial! I’m going to be working on the spacer rows for my scrappy Power of Nine Quilt. (Pattern Here)

There are 5 spacer rows in the quilt…If you’re following the qaug method please read the previous posts:

QAUG Part 1 ~ Quilting the Blocks

QAUG Part 2 ~ Quilting the Spacers

QAUG Part 3 ~ Joining the Blocks and Spacers into Rows.

In this 4th post, I am going to be working on the spacer rows. There are a couple options I will cover for completing the spacer rows, but you may have your own ideas!

I am assuming you have read the previous posts so you don’t get lost… Ok, here we go!

There is a little planning to do when completing this row. Remember, we have to think about the front AND the back of the row…

Here is the front of my first two completed block rows…

And here is a look at the back…

You can see that all the planning we did earlier in Part 1 is starting to take shape on the back of the quilt. (Visit Part 1 to get the back diagram PDF)

Side Note ~ I want to take a moment to point out that this QAUG Row will be longer than the row in the pattern… WHY? Because the block sizes in the QAUG quilt actually measure out to the Unfinished Size ~ since the extra 1/2″ of the block in this method is hidden under the joining sashing, it’s not lost in the seam allowance. That means this quilt will be slightly larger than the pattern version that HAS lost the 1/2″ within the seam. Make sense? I hope so! Let’s continue…

I decided that my spacer row would be solid on the front (like the original quilt) and scrappy on the back. The scrappy back is going to be similar to the 2 1/2″ strips on the back of the spacer blocks but they will be vertical rather than horizontal.

Materials for ALL spacer rows using this method:

2 yards of fabric for the front of rows and joining strips (cutting diagram below)

150 ~ 2 1/2″ x 7 1/4″ strips for back side of row
10 ~ 3″ x 7 1/4″ strips for back side of row
5 strips of batting cut 7″ x 70″

STEP 1 ~ I began with the two yards of fabric for the front and

cut five 7″ x 72″ strips

and eight 1″ x 72″ strips.

There is just enough fabric for this with no room for error.

Here’s what I got cut…

STEP 2 ~ Take your 7″ fabric and batting strips and layer them with the fabric on top, right side up. (fabric will be slightly longer, that’s ok.) I placed a paper towel under a section and spayed the batting with spray baste ~ then smoothed out the fabric on top, moving down the length… Don’t go crazy with your spray, just a few quick sprays gets the job done (and don’t do it on a nice table without protecting it)

Now that side of fabric is all basted and secured to the batting…

NOTE: if you want both sides of the row solid, repeat on the other side of batting with your backing fabric and quilt as desired. Skip to step on trimming row.

For the back of my row I’m going to use the Stitch-and-Flip method of quilting as you go…

For each individual row you will need:

thirty 2 1/2″ x 7 1/4″ strips

two 3″ x 7 1/4″ strips (one at each end)

bobbin thread to match the top fabric (your bobbin thread will show on top fabric since we are working from the back side in this quilt)

STEP 3 ~ Begin by placing a 3″ x 7 1/4″ scrap piece right side up at the end of your batting/fabric strip on the batting side. Place a 2 1/2″ x 7 1/4″ scrap piece on top, right side down. Stitch 1/4″ from right edge.

Press open

Step 4 ~ Continue to add all thirty 2 1/2″ x 7 1/4″ strips… stitch along right edge, flip open and press

As you go along, use a ruler to keep your lines straight so you don’t get wonky (unless, of course you WANT it Wonky!). Your strip should measure 2 1/4″ from the seam line

If your off, mark a line with your ruler at the 2 1/4″ mark

and just line up the next strip with the line

Step 5 ~ End the row with your second 3″ strip (32 strips total). Look at the front side… you can see that your bobbin thread shows up as the stitching on the solid fabric…

I decided to keep mine simple and only add stitching on either side of the seams~

When you’re done with quilting your row, trim up both long edges by about 1/4″ so your strip measures 6 1/2″ x 65 1/2″ and your ready for the next step (and next post) of joining the rows!

Here is a look at the front and back laid out and ready to be joined ~