jcrow

Every 10 minute block I make, I have to pin the heck out of one end because there isn't enough fabric. I follow the directions. I even watch the video over and over, but I get a pleat at the end of the center. It's a tight fit. I've done 12 of them and every one of them is the same way. What am I doing wrong? She makes it look so simple. I'm even doing it with a layer cake so they are nice and big. Help!!

Handcraftsbyjen

First, don't pin a lot. Once you open the bridge put a pin in the center. Stick your finger in the fabric and get the excess out. Put a pin halfway between the center point and the end as well as the end. Don't worry about the other half just yet. Startin at the end, begin sewing to the center and stop sewing at the center with the needle down. Put your finger in the fabric and get the excess fabric out and put a pin in the end. Continue stitching to the end. You shouldn't have any pleats.

nativetexan

how small are your squares? I found five inch charms much harder to pin straight but did it. I prefer larger squares because they go much faster.

Peckish

I agree, don't pin a lot. I only use one pin, right in that center seam to make them match up. I only worry about one half of that seam at a time; I sew the first half, stop (with the needle down) when I get to the pin, re-adjust the fabric so there are no puckers, then finish sewing the rest of the seam.

nativetexan

no matter what size i use, i do pin in center and smooth the square i'm adding and pin on the edges of that one too. then i watch that i dont' catch it other that in the seams.

jcrow

Thank you. I will try the one pin in the middle and see if that helps. But I think nativetexan understands what I'm going through.

BellaBoo

You may find that if you glue baste it together first it will save you lots of frustration.

virtualbernie

I use 3 pins-- one to hold the middle fabric after I straighten it so it won't pleat, one in the middle, another after I straighten the 2nd side. The pins hold the middle fabric so it doesn't get a chance to fold back while you are sewing.

q.alba

Like you, I have also had trouble with that inner material being flat. Ditto to what HandcraftsbyJen and Peckish wrote. By trial and error and I finally quit using so many pins and now I do what Peckish does. I sew just past that seam, stop, and straighten. Then maybe use one pin if I feel I need it. If I am really having trouble, I will even take the block out, get the material in place and then return it to the sewing machine to complete. Let us know how it works for you.

Buckeye Rose

I think I use 3 pins...one at the center seam and one at the edge of the center fabric piece (after I use a finger to pull straight). I know the first ones can be a bit tricky until the lightbulb switches on and all of a sudden you "get it". Then it will truly take less than 10 minutes to complete a block and a quilt top in a couple hours. I love the 10 minute block! I will add one little tip....as I sew, I pull the pins as soon as I am past them. It gives the fabric a bit more room to move and becomes easier to line up the fabric correctly.