BERNINA Skillbuilder Sew Along: Introduction, Fabric Requirements, and Cutting

Welcome to the BERNINA Skillbuilder Sew Along! This free series includes 9 quilt block patterns designed to help you build your quilting skills and confidence. By the end, you’ll have a beautiful 56” x 56” sampler quilt to enjoy for years to come.

Hi, I’m Christina, the quilt pattern designer behind Sweet Potato Quilts, where I specialize in writing quilt block patterns that give quilters the tools to feel confident and creative when they are quilting. Whether you’re brand new to quilting or looking for a fun community project, you’re in the right place. I’ll be sewing with my BERNINA 770 QE PLUS, and throughout the series, I’ll show you how this machine has supported me in making several quilts over the past few years.

Each block in this sew along introduces a new piecing technique: strip piecing, half-square triangles, flying geese, half-rectangle triangles, and more. Along the way, you’ll also find bonus tutorials and free projects to keep you inspired.

Sew Along Schedule & Skills Covered

The sew along follows a weekly release schedule right here on the WeAllSew blog. Don’t worry if you join late, as the posts and patterns will remain available so you can work at your own pace.

Schedule

• Session 1 (today): Introduction, Fabric Requirements, and Cutting
• Session 2 (October 1, 2025): Blocks 1 and 2
• Session 3 (October 8, 2025): Blocks 3 and 4
• Session 4 (October 15, 2025): Blocks 5 and 6
• Session 5 (October 22, 2025): Blocks 7 and 8
• Session 6 (October 29, 2025): Block 9 and Finishing Instructions

By the end, you’ll have a 56″ x 56″ quilt top plus a new set of skills you can use in any future project.

Win a Prize for Finishing Your Quilt Top!

To add a little extra motivation, I’m hosting a giveaway. When we wrap up, one lucky participant who completes their quilt top will win a fat quarter bundle from my first fabric collection as part of the Sewcial Bee Collective with Art Gallery Fabrics, GEO Bloom.

How to Enter

• Share your progress with the WeAllSew Community
• Post a photo of your completed quilt top on social media with #BERNINASkillbuilderSAL by November 19, 2025

Your quilt top must be fully pieced together, but it does not need to be basted, quilted, or bound.

Materials for the Quilt

Tools and Materials I Used

• Quilting Cotton Fabric yardage (download the PDF HERE for detailed requirements and cutting instructions)
• BERNINA 770 QE PLUS
• Patchwork Foot #37D
• Patchwork Foot #97D
• Aurifil 50 wt cotton thread (white)
• Rotary Cutter (Missouri Star Quilt Co. 45 mm, Olga)
• Acrylic Rulers (Creative Grids: 12½” x 12½”, 6½” x 12½”, 6½” x 6½”)
• Oliso Mini Iron
• Schmetz Universal Needles 80/12
• Novodon Merino Wool Pressing Mat

Optional, but helpful:

• Creative Grids XL Stripology Ruler
• Starch or pressing spray
• Seam ripper
• Favorite snacks while you sew 🥰

Instructions to Prepare Fabric

Before we begin piecing blocks, let’s prepare our fabrics.

Step 1. Download the Pattern Introduction PDF

The PDF includes:

• Yardage requirements for the quilt
• Cutting instructions for each fabric
• Pattern assumptions and helpful notes

Step 2. Cut Fabric from Yardage

Prefer to sew from your scrap stash? You can! Wait for each block release and use the Piece Count Column in the block pattern to cut what you need as you go.

If you’re new to cutting fabric or want a refresher, watch this video for step-by-step cutting instructions:

Plan Your Color Palette

Not sure about your fabric layout? Use the free digital coloring page on PreQuilt to experiment with colors and block placement before you cut.

Here are a few suggested palettes using Art Gallery Fabrics Solids:

• Neutral Palette: Fabric 1 – Crème de la Crème, Fabric 2 – Blushing, Fabric 3 – Terracotta Tile, Fabric 4 – Aurora Red, Fabric 5 – Plum Preserve, BG – Porcelain

• Cool + Calm: Fabric 1 – Cinnamon, Fabric 2 – Denim Blue, Fabric 3 – Fresh Sage, Fabric 4 – Dusk, Fabric 5 – Mushroom, BG – Nova

• BERNINA Red: Fabric 1 – Crystal Pink, Fabric 2 – Quartz Pink, Fabric 3 – Undeniably Red, Fabric 4 – Sedona, Fabric 5 – Spiceberry, BG – Snow
  

• Vintage Candy: Fabric 1 – Terracotta Tile, Fabric 2 – Lakefront, Fabric 3 – Sweet Pink, Fabric 4 – Honeymoon, Fabric 5 – Queen Bee, BG – Peony

Ready to Sew?

Thank you for joining me in the BERNINA Skillbuilder Sew Along! Here’s how to get started today:

✅ Download the Pattern Introduction PDF
✅ Cut your fabrics according to the instructions in the PDF
✅ Share your progress with #BERNINASkillbuilderSAL to remain eligible for our fat quarter bundle prize
✅ Follow me @sweetpotatoquilts on Instagram and Facebook for more inspiration

We’re going to learn so much together, and I can’t wait to see the beautiful quilt you create.

Let’s get sewing! 🧵❤️