I'd forgotten how hard it is for me keeping everything lined up nicely and straight when sewing a quilt block. It has been so long since I've done one and I think that's one reason why I'd decided that applique' was more my forte'. Any hints or suggestions for me?

TIA

None from me. Applique is my thing too. It goes much faster than just piecing, at least in my mind it does.

Personally I think accurate cutting and making sure the sewing is a quarter of an inch is the only way to get everything to line up right... I try to be as precise as I can.. I do notice when I take the time and care that my blocks go together without any problem..

i agree with Diamonds, take time to cut as accurate as u can. i also use pins, which for me is a must, (giggle) I've been told that i over pin, but it works for me and my work is usely right on. Also check even double check to see if you have your machine set to sew an accurate 1/4 in seam allowance. When i follow these guide lines and when i see my sewing is going well, i'm so happy and i don't have to rip out work and redo. I take my time and enjoying myself. I still haven't tried applique, one day i will give it a try.

Anything over 5 inches I pin! I can't keep them straight without them.

pressing also makes a big difference for me. i've messed up some pretty well done blocks by getting a bit too .... shall we say ... enthusiasic (?) .... and ironing them 'til they're all out of wack. :shock:

of couse, the flip side of that is that careful, clever pressing has helped me straighten out some pretty wacky blocks, too. :mrgreen:

Denise, I pin everything too :lol:

I have to watch the press verses iron thing, they will lose shape especially those triangles you work so hard on. :evil:

I agree. My blocks come out best when I use care and accuracy in cutting (measure twice; cut once) and pressing, lots of patience and myriads of pins. I can't keep anything really straight without pins.

Connie

Other than 1/4 inch seams, when you finish a block, square it up to a certain size- 10 inch or 12 inch or whatever. When you finish your blocks, trim them so they are all the same size and your quilt blocks will fit better. If it is a sampler quilt, you may have to cut some of the block off or even maybe add a small border to make each block the same size.

Hope this helps.

HI i sure have added a small border to some of my blocks to make them even, but on the other hand i don,t beat myself up if my blocks aren't straight i just try harder to get them straight the next time and pay more attention in measuing and cutting the next go round
Happy Quilting lol Annette

you might also measure an eexact quater inch seam on your machine and
stick a corn pad there if you have trouble running your fabric straight under the pressure foot this is just high enough to do that hope this will
help you
Dodie

Thanks everyone. I will keep all your tips in mind. I know that part of my problem is that my machine is on its last leg. It has major issues and it doesn't sew straight and everything is off on it. My mom has a really nice one and she is upgrading hers, so I will be the recipient of her old one, so I'm holding off on getting a new one, that, and I will be making a move more than halfway across the country, so I was planning on waiting anyway. I have started marking my 1/4" sew lines in pen, and that is really helping. It's more time consuming doing that, but is better than ripping out and redoing. I also think that I may have gotten a little aggressive with the ironing - instead of just pressing on a few things.

Ouch. My suggestion would be to get a new machine if at all possible, or at least borrow a good one until you are able to get your moms. My old machine wouldn't sew straight either and once I got my new one, it literally made all the difference in the world!!! I agree with Diamonds and the other gals, correct measuring and cutting and making sure you have a 1/4 inch seam is vital in getting your piecework to line up.
~Tiffany

I have had some blocks that were just a wee bit off. If you have ever sewn clothing where you have to ease in seams it can help a lot. Also washing after finishing can hide a lot of "sins". :lol:

Best investment I made was the 1/4" foot with guide, keeps the exact 1/4" tons easier and i think is one thing less to think about. The other thing is accurate cutting - so tedious but true. Sometimes you just want to jump right in to the doing but I find i always muck it up when I do.

My best investment was a 1/4 foot for my machine. It forces me to stay in line, which if you ask my family, isn't easy to do! 8) Maybe your mom's machine has one or you can easily purchase one. I think you'll enjoy a new machine too.

I find I can usually quilt out any tiny problems in my quilts, though I strive not to have them in the first place. :lol:

luvabargain: How soon will your mom be upgrading? I know working with a broken machine or one on its way out is never much fun. Do you like to applique? If you have never tried it now might be the time to check into it and see if it is something you enjoy. :thumbup:
~Tiffany

She already got her new one, but she lives several states away and is waiting until I move b/c they are planning on visiting me then. I do like applique', it's fun to do, but I don't want to just do that.

LuvABargain: I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with everything DIAMONDS wrote above but I also think your iron is your BEST FRIEND and that pressing your seems in the right direction so each junction of your quilt blocks "nest or spoon" next to each other makes your work much easier and your finished block looks so much nicer than having things all caddywampus. Another thing I always do when I'm laying out my blocks before sewing them together is to number the rows with a safety pin with a tiny piece of paper with the number on it. I also put a TOP and BOTTOM designation as I don't always have time to sew all the rows of blocks together in one sitting so this helps me keep everything straight. When you are making blocks (like scrappy quilt blocks) it's important to try and arrange the colors and the fabrics so the same color or fabric blocks aren't next to each other. If they aren't labeled I end up with a mess and then it's rip, rip, rip, rip and I'd rather SEW, SEW, SEW! :lol: