Infrastructure Week 2 - Row 1

Now that everyone has gotten their fabric picked out, or nearly picked out, it's time to start making the quilt.  I will be making the Infrastructure quilt using Banartex Superior Solids and sharing the slight modifications to the steps here.   Don't worry if you're still working of curating your fabrics for the quilt along several of the weeks are quick makes and leave time to catch up or work ahead.

Infrastructure in Superior Solids

I will be going over the cutting and piecing for Row 1.  If you would like to work ahead and cut out all the rows ahead of time that works too.  I do recommend cutting as you go for the solid version because the fabric differ from the instructions but it's not necessary.  If you are making your Infrastructure quilt with Geo Pop don't forget to check out Christa's post each week.  She will be posting additional construction tips for each row.

Infrastructure Row 1 Fabric

This first row uses Superior Solids Charcoal and Berry.  I also used my OLFA True Blue Splash ergonomic rotary cutter with a new blade for this project.  If you haven't recently change your rotary cutter blade.  A new blade cuts so well.  I also recommend the OLFA Endurance Blade.  For more information on the solid version of infrastructure please see my previous post.

Infrastructure Row 1 Units

Following the instructions in the pattern cut the Charcoal and Berry squares and rectangles and the strips for the top and bottom of the row.  Your cut units should be similar to the photo above.

Infrastructure Row 1 Piecing

I have a few tips to make piecing the first row a success:

• Thread can be tricky especially when working with high contrast fabrics.  For row 1 I'm using a medium to dark grey 50 wt Aurifil thread. 
• Another stumbling block when piecing a long strip of square can be your seam allowance.  Using a scant quarter inch will compensate for the fabric lost to the width of the thread.  To test your scant quarter inch sew two pieces of scrap fabric 2 1/2" square together.  After sewing them together measure the rectangle and verify that it is 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" if not adjust your seam allowance.
• Next, chain piecing the multiple squares will be more efficient and taking the pieced squares to the iron board all at once will save on trips back and forth from your sewing machine.
• Finally, to help prevent bowing of your row always sew with the same color on top.  By keeping the same color always on top this will flip the direction you are piecing your squares without having to remember which way you just sewed.

Infrastructure Row 1

Before you know it row 1 will be completed.  Step back admire your work, post pictures using #infrastructurequilt and don't forget to leave a comment below to enter the week 2 giveaway!  Whether you are making a quilt or just following along online all are welcomed to enter the giveaway each week.   This week the winner(s) will receive a bundle form our sponsor Benartex of their new Superior Solids!!  These are the same solids I'm using to make my version on Infrastructure and having worked with them a little bit now I know the winner(s) will be super happy with the feel and quality of these solids.

Superior Solids by Benartex

Leaving a comment below is the only way to be eligible to win.  This will be the same for each week's giveaway.  Comments made Monday through Friday will be entered into a random drawing so please be sure to leave your name and email address where you can be contact if you win.  Comments without contact information will not be eligible for prize(s).  The winner will be announced the following Monday in our weekly quilt along post.

**CONGRATULATIONS** to Laura (@sliceofpiquilts) for being our week 1 winner!!  I know she will make beautiful quilts with her copy of EQ 8.

Don't forget to subscribe to this blog (Quiltachusetts) and Christa's blog (ChristaQuilts) to stay updated on the quilt along, giveaways and all our quilty adventures.  You can find both of us on Instagram, @quiltachusetts and @christaquilts .  Thank you!

"By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:13-16