Call me a cheater or lazy or whatever, but when I've got the not-nesting-already-sewed-these-bad-boys-down problem, I just snip the seam without cutting through it. Then I splay them apart so one goes east, the other west, then starch again, press the dickens out of them, and call it good. I've just never gotten the whole nesting thing down so I compensate. By the time I add batting, quilting, and backing, it all works together.

Yes. Press the seams open within the block, then join the blocks with glue basting. To do this, I would use a straight pin at each intersection 1/4" from the edge, pushing it down into the ironing board straight up and down. Once the seams are pinned, place a tiny drop of Elmer's washable school glue in the seam allowance at each pin and iron to secure. Remove pins and take to sewing machine. I get much better accuracy this way on difficult joins.

Thanks Prism99 for your instructions and for responding so quickly. To be perfectly honest, in this particular case that sounds like way more work than I'm willing to go to on this project, so I think I'll just do my best to construct it as is. However, your method is certainly something I will take note of for reference on a future project where precision is going to be more important to me than in this case. Thanks again!

I understand. I save this technique for jobs that require a high degree of accuracy because of the extra work. Even without glue basting, though, I think it is easier to match up V seams when the seams are pressed open. Good luck!

I press every seam open that I possibly can - within blocks and rows. I like the flatter block/quilt.

I use a variation of Prism's method when joining blocks. I place the pin straight up/down through the intersection but not into the ironing board. I hold that pin steady then place pins normally through the 2 pieces of fabric on either side of that up/down pin. I do not glue but find that the 2 pins on either side of the seam hold everything in place quite well. I also sew over pins (yes, bad girl that I am) and find I don't have shifting issues.

What about when you quilt it? Won't the open be a problem when you try to stitch in the ditch? It's just a thought or do you have someone else longarm quilt it?

i never stitch in the ditch, so it's not an issue for me.

what you have done so far is wonderful. great piecing and matching. open seams help a lot, so i would continue with that.

BTW I love your colors and I agree that the open seams will give you great accuracy. You are headed for a great quilt.

I am glad you made a decision and can get on with piecing. Sometimes it's tough to pick the best way to go and you just have to "pick one" and carry on. But I must also say that your fabrics and fabric colors are wonderful! Also your piecing looks very precise to me so whatever you are currently doing is working. This will be a beautiful quilt and I do hope you will show it here when you are finished with it.