Thread: Keeping fabric edges together on long seams

I haven't pinned a long seam for more than 30 years. Never stretched any fabric cut on the grain and I haven't bled on any fabric for a long time. Knock on wood. froggyintexas

Originally Posted by Jim

I pull mine taut but not enough to stretch the fabric...been doing this for 20 yrs and never a stretching problem

I saw a video where a gal was demonstrating this and she wasn't pulling on the fabric, just manipulating it as she sews along the seam. I learned something that day, too.

If sewing long strips together I always pin at intervals. I think it helps to keep the strips from stretching and from me pulling on either of them inadvertently.

Been doing that for years, and yes it does work. I don't "stretch" the fabric. Just hold it in each hand to guide it. Guess I just thought everyone did it that way!

It's Sew Easy showed this technique, said it's how they do it for commercial products because it's faster and more efficient. I've got an old Pfaff with IDT which pretty much does the same thing. I still put in a reminder pin to slow down if I think a seam I'm going over may be stitched down in the wrong direction.

I am not sure what you mean. How do you hold both ends of a 40" strip while you sew??

Originally Posted by rusty quilter

I am not sure what you mean. How do you hold both ends of a 40" strip while you sew??

You would be holding two strips, not one. To sew two strips together, you would be holding one strip in one hand and the other strip in the other hand.