BERNINA Corporate Blog -
Here we go! The first row of the Between the Lines quilt along. I’m so excited to start this with you all.
Today we are making row 5, Rush Hour. The yellow figures reminded me a bit of a traffic jam seen from above, hence Rush Hour. Although our row in the quilt is, of course, much more colorful and cheerful than a traffic jam of cars.
New here?
Is this your first time seeing the Between the Lines QAL? And are you wondering if you can still join? Read all about it in this blog post!
You can definitely still join. Today we are starting with the first part of the quilt. We sew the rows in increasing difficulty, starting with row 5.
Would you like a kit with all the materials you need for this quilt? Then order a Rainbow kit or a Blue-Green kit from the Sugaridoo webshop.
Materials
Of course, you are free to make the quilt with any fabric you like. In the patterns, I will make the two versions of the quilt: the rainbow and blue-green quilt. I will indicate which fabrics to use for both versions.
Rainbow quilt
- Yellow with triangles
- Yellow with squares
- Gray (accent)
- White with robots (background)
Blue-Green quilt
- Dark green with robots
- Green with squares
- Gray (accent)
- White with robots (background)
Before we start
If you’ve made a quilt or two before you can just get started with the next step ‘Preparations’. But if you’re new to quilting you might be interested in some tips before we get started.
- Machine I will be quilting the Between the Lines quilt on my BERNINA 770 QE. You can use any sewing machine that can stitch in a straight line (we won’t be using any fancy stitches). The most important thing is that you can stitch a 1/4 inch seam on your machine.
- 1/4 seam If sewing a 1/4 inch seam is a new concept for you, make sure to read this blog post from the first Sugaridoo x BERNINA quilt along. It includes a helpful video. During this first quilt along I went over all the basic techniques for beginners to be able to make their first quilt.
- Practice over Perfection There is no need for perfection when you’re just starting (or even when you’ve already made 53 quilts). Take your time to practice, sewing with a 1/4 inch seam is something that will get easier over time. The Between the Lines QAL is a great project to practice your skills!
- BERNINA Foot #97 I love using my Patchwork Foot #97 for sewing a 1/4 inch seam. Especially in combination with the dual feed on the 770QE, it does make sewing your seams on the correct width easier.
Preparations
For assembling the quilt, you will need several strips of fabric. If you want, you can set aside fabric for these now. Then you will know how much fabric you can use for the rest of the quilt.
You will need:
- 10 strips of 1 1/2 x 53 inches (sashing and top and bottom border)
- 2 strips of 1 1/2 x 66 inches (side borders)
The above measurements include a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
You can cut 17 strips of 1 1/2 inch x fabric width. Sew these together to get a long enough strip to cut the above strips from.
Or you can cut the strips lengthwise from the fabric to avoid seams in the strips.
Additionally, you will need a strip of 1 x 53 inches for both row 5 and row 7.
Preparation video
In this video, I will guide you through preparing the strips from the background fabric.
Instructions
Grab your fabrics, and let’s really get started now.
I will describe the row we are making in two ways. The basic version, where all the figures are the same size.
And an improv version, where we play with length and add random little strips.
Basis version – Pattern
All sizes mentioned for cutting or sewing include 1/4″ seam allowances unless otherwise noted.
Cutting
Cut the following from the fabric:
- Yellow with triangles (Dark green robots): 8 rectangles of 7 x 2 1/2 inches
- Yellow with squares (Green squares): 7 rectangles of 7 x 2 1/2 inches
- Gray: 1 rectangle of 7 x 2 1/2 inches
- Background: 60 squares of 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches
- Background: 14 rectangles of 1 x 2 1/2 inches
TIP: Start by cutting and sewing one figure to see how it goes, to get into the swing of things and check if you cut it correctly. Then cut everything you need for the row.
Sewing
Below are 6 illustrations for sewing one figure:
- Place a white square on the top corner of the yellow rectangle, right sides together. Sew from corner to corner.
- Cut off the corner, 1/4 inch from the seam.
- Fold and press the corner open.
- Place a second white square on the bottom corner of the yellow rectangle, right sides together. Sew from corner to corner.
- Cut off the corner, 1/4 inch from the seam.
- Fold and press the corner open.
Repeat these steps for the other side of the rectangle. Now you have sewn one figure. It measures 7 x 2 1/2 inches.
Assembling the Row
We need a total of 16 figures to make the whole row.
- Sew eight figures for the top row. One of these has a point on only one side.
- Sew seven yellow figures for the bottom row, one of which has a point on only one side.
- And sew one gray figure.
Now sew the figures together with the background strips of 1 x 2 1/2 inches in between. Place the figures without a point at the end of the strip.
The strips will be longer than the required 53 inches. Cut both strips to 53 inches. In the video, you can see how to do this by folding the row in half.
Now turn the top strip 180 degrees. Then sew the long strip of 1 x 53 inches between the two strips.
It is quite a narrow strip to sew between the rows. Here are a few tips:
- Pin the strip to both ends of a row first. Then pin in the middle and place several pins along the entire row.
- Sew slowly to keep your 1/4 inch seam allowance constant.
- Before pressing the strip, you can first open it and carefully finger press it open. Then apply the iron.
After this, your row will look like this:
Improv version of row 5
Do you want to add more variation to your row? Follow these steps.
- Vary the length of the yellow strips between 5 and 9 inches.
- Cut some strips (diagonally) and add a small strip of background fabric in between.
- Play with the placement of the figures in both rows until you are happy with the result.
Video – Between the Lines Row 5
Would you like to see how I make these blocks before you start? You can! Below you will find the video instructions for row 5.
From next time, I will hold a live video on YouTube for each row the day after the pattern is published. This way, you can watch how we make the row and ask all your questions before you start.
Winners for the first giveaway
And of course the winners for the first giveaway in the quilt along. A big thank you to Mettler for gifting these wonderful thread sets!
The winners are: Tess from Belgium, Terri from Canada and Katja from Germany. The winners have been contacted. Congratulations!
Go for it!
Don’t be discouraged if your points aren’t perfect or if your strip is a bit wavy and not perfectly straight. This row is a great way to practice the 1/4 inch seam allowance. Emphasis on practice; it’s okay if it’s not perfect right away. Not all my blocks are exactly the same either.
Have lots of fun making this row. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the Sugaridoo Facebook group or in the comments below.
See you in four weeks with a new row!
Irene
Marilou White again…….I forgot to mention I started with only 4 1/2 yards instead of the 5 yards you recommended.just hoping you allowed for mistakes….lol. If not, I will have to substitute a background for every other row.
Hello Irena, do you have a record of how much background fabric each row takes? I have 3 yards left after the strips are cut and after rows 5 & 9 are done. I’m afraid I’ll not have enough.
I can’t find the pattern to the between the lines quilt. Can anyone help me to find it, or sending the link?Thanks in advance
Hy Corinne,
For this row, you have to cut rectangles and squares. Therefore, there is no pattern but only cutting instructions:
Yellow with triangles (Dark green robots): 8 rectangles of 7 x 2 1/2 inches
Yellow with squares (Green squares): 7 rectangles of 7 x 2 1/2 inches
Gray: 1 rectangle of 7 x 2 1/2 inches
Background: 60 squares of 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches
Background: 14 rectangles of 1 x 2 1/2 inches
Thanks for the detailed instructions!
First row completed.
Row 5 Rush Hour.
Unsure if it’s here or on the Community we are supposed to upload our row! I have added to both.
Yay! Just finished my Row 5. Now I can get on with my other QAL 🙃 I will post a photo tomorrow as today was raining and I want to take the picture outdoors. 😊
First row was sew much fun! Can’t wait for next month. 🙂
happy to have the first row done! looking forward to the next one.
Hi everyone!So happy to be joining you all as a Dutchie from Australia for my second Sugaridoo QAL. I love this pattern Irene, can’t wait to start the next row! 🥳
Hello Irene from Karen in New Zealand. Thank-you for this fun project.
You’re very welcome! Happy you’re sewing along.
Have not used fat quarters much 🙁 Any suggestions on cutting the first pieces to maximize fabric use? More specifically, cut the 7″ strips along the 18″ side or width of fabric (21″). The latter would seem to make the most sense but don’t want to start out with a major mess-up! LOL!
Hi Diane, you’ll be fine! Both ways is OK. You will have enough fabric if you’re working with fat quarters. For this row there is more then enough fabric for both yellows. For other rows, when there is less spare fabric I include cutting schemes to demonstrate how you could cut the fabric.
Who makes that awesome tape that Irene had on front of her Bernina, straight line in middle with 1/4” marks on both sides.
Cluck Cluck Sew Diagonal Seam Tape – 10 yd roll
You can purchase it online from many retailers, i.e. Madam Sew, and also on Amazon. Love it!
My background is cut, now to the fun color parts. The modern vibe is great 🙂
Hi, Is there a way to print the instructions? My internet is very sporadic…really looking forward to making this quilt…
Hi! Ramona just wrote a reply on how to print the instructions below. Hope this helps!
How do you get entered for winning some of the prizes?
Hi Nancy, the first giveaway is closed. Half way in the quilt along there will be another raffle. You can enter by just quilting along and following the instructions when the giveaway is announced.
Can’t wait to get started!!!! Will post a picture after I finish the row!!!!!!
Yayy! Have fun sewing this row!
I am thrilled to be one of the winners of this thread and can’t wait to get started on this traffic jam, improv version. Housework will wait for me!
Congratulations!!!
congrats! happy sewing
Congrats Terri.👏🏻👏🏻
Is there a way you could make these printable? My computer is in one room and my cutting room is in another, and my sewing room is in another room.
I would like to also print this out.
Hi Teresa,
I just wrote an answer to Donna with instructions how to print this article. Hope that will help you 🙂
Hy Donna,
If you mean you would wish for this tutorial to be printable, then you can do the following:
– Depending on your browser, open the menu (probalby a … or a symbol with 3 lines)
– Select print
– Select your printer and printing options and print it out! That way you can take the instructions everywhere.
– Alternatively you can open this article on your mobile phone if you own one, and have it always with you.
If you do not own a printer, do this:
– In the printing options, choose “Print to PDF” in the dropdown where you choose a printer.
– Click on “Save”. This will open a window so you can decide where to save the article as a pdf on your comptuer.
– Put the PDF on a USB-stick and take it with you to a print shop.
Hope this helps!
This was soooooooooo helpful! Thank you!
Very welcome Ellen 🙂
Row 5 getting real now
Are you using assorted lengths of rectangles? I think that’s what I’m going to do. I actually used the coloring page, imported it into my editing software, and used that mockup to get appx sizes to use (I’m a total dork).
Love that! That sounds so prepared. Can’t wait to see how your row will turn out.