Matching seams instructions needed
#1
Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: at the foot of the Ouichita Mountains, SE Oklahoma
Posts: 273
Matching seams instructions needed
I'm hoping someone can tell me how to match these seams. I am fairly new to quilting (just made clothes until this year) and need some help.
Is there a tip/trick/whatever to make it easier to match where the triangle seam crosses the seam of the square without my having to take it apart 3-4 times each block.
I can finally do it but I'm wearing the material out with all the ripping going on. Any advise?
TIA,
Dray
Is there a tip/trick/whatever to make it easier to match where the triangle seam crosses the seam of the square without my having to take it apart 3-4 times each block.
I can finally do it but I'm wearing the material out with all the ripping going on. Any advise?
TIA,
Dray
#4
When pairing up seams, make sure that they are going in opposite directions, and that when you feel the seam, it feels flat. What you can do is then very carefully pin on either side of the seam, making sure it stays put. Then sew about 5 stitches over just the seam. Then you can check to make sure that it is right. Doing it this way until you are more proficient, will keep you from ripping out the whole length of the row. If it's lined up, go back and sew the row. No need to rip the 5 stitches out.
I learned this from a friend several years ago and it has saved me lots of ripping. But the more you quilt, the better you will get at matching seams.
Another tip is when you are sewing patches together, make sure the seam on top is going up, or toward the machine and the bottom seam is going down, or towards you. This will make the feed dogs push the seams together. I hope this helps you. Good luck. Gina
I learned this from a friend several years ago and it has saved me lots of ripping. But the more you quilt, the better you will get at matching seams.
Another tip is when you are sewing patches together, make sure the seam on top is going up, or toward the machine and the bottom seam is going down, or towards you. This will make the feed dogs push the seams together. I hope this helps you. Good luck. Gina
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tennessee, UC area
Posts: 1,584
Also, if the blocks & triangles are cut accurately, then your problem 'could' be that you're not doing EXACTLY quarter inch seams. I try to gauge my seams by the thickness of the thread line smaller than quarter inch....not easy...but you learn by lining up with the presser foot. You can usually find a spot there that you can follow along the edge of the fabric. Better still, get a 1/4" foot; makes it so much easier. Persevere! One day it will be like you've done it all your life.
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
In your photo, you would need to do this for both places on the block where the triangles meet the block seams. There may be a gap between the two spots, caused by one middle piece being longer than the other. Place the longer side against the bed of your machine, which will help you ease in the extra fabric. (You can pull a little on the top fabric while sewing also.)
An alternative to this process is to use a long stitch on your machine to sew just the triangle/block seams for about 3 stitches each. Take out of machine and check to see if seams are matched. If not, it's easy to remove just those 3 stitches where the point meets and re-sew with basting stitches until correct. Once you are satisfied, do not remove the basting stitches; just sew over them when you sew the seam.
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 125
Make sure your pieces are cut accurately before sewing, and measure the block after sewing. If the blocks don't measure the correct finished size, then your seams are not accurate. If your cutting, seams, and finished block are accurate, the seams should align. In looking at the photo, it appears to me that the upper block has some fullness between the triangles and the print in the second block isn't the same size on the right as it is on the left. Of course, this could be an optical illusion. Measure each piece to be sure it is the correct size. If it is, then adjust your seams. Let us know how it works out.
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