Keeping fabric edges together on long seams
 

I attended a class at a retreat this week and the lady told us how to keep the edges of long seams together. Why hadn't I heard this before in the 69 years that I have been sewing?????
Anyway she told us to hold the bottom fabric with our right hand and to hold the top fabric with our left hand as you match up the edges and then feed the fabric into the sewing machine. I can't believe how easy it is to have edges perfectly matched! Thought maybe I wasn't the only "old timer" or new sewer for that matter, that had not heard of this tip.
I seldom attend a class but what some tip or technique is taught that is new to me. Isn't learning new things great! I love it.

Sounds too easy to stretch the edges that way to me. I'm glad you're so happy with it, but I'll stick with pinning for ease and acuracy.

I would worry about stretch as well.

I guess we are never to old to learn new things.

sounds great. but, as others have said, i'd be afraid of stretching

I'm a pinner too. The only time I don't pin is when I'm sewing on binding and even then I'm very careful not to stretch or pull either one.

I don't pin when sewing long strips together, but I do stop about every 10 inches or so to re-position. Next time I have long strips to sew together, I will try the two-hand method! Since the strips are cut on-grain, stretching shouldn't be a problem as long as I am careful to simply guide the strips and not place stress on them.

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.

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! :)

I'm a "holder", not a "pinner" too and have always done it because it saves time. I do a minimal amount of pinning when I'm sewing garments - mostly when inserting sleeves so that I can get the ease required.

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 use Elmer's Washable School Glue ......... glue, sew and when the quilt is finished wash. No stretch, edge is even.

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.

that is exactly how ALL of your clothing you buy are sewn. I worked one summer making Carter's Children's wear... you should see those older ladies who have been there forever whipping thru those seams...

I'm guessing this is only for sewing strips and not borders?

i do this method on long quilt pieces, too. i just never gave it any thought. sometimes we just stumble into things, give it a "name" and share it.

I don't think she meant that we hold the ENDS of the fabric...but probably a comfortable distance from the machine. And then reposition as we go...right hand on the bottom fabric and left hand on the top fabric and line them up as you go.

I use elmers glue stick when I want my quilt to be perfect...but mostly I do not pin or glue and it looks fine...but there are times when I wish I took the time and did.

I don't think I've ever held my strips like this. I'm going to try it. Thanks for sharing!

I pin also.

She said hold the fabric not pull on it. I am bad about pulling it too taute. I will try it this way

That is a great tip, I will try it next time I have long strips to sew, because if you are too speedy you can lose your accuracy. Thanks

I prefer to cut strips from the lengthwise grain whenever possible and work with shorter lengths that are divisible be the size of blocks I need, usually around 20". I still pin a few places to make sure things are straight. When working with crosswise grain I usually cut the strip in half. This is just what is easiest for me. Possibly a hold over from years of garment sewing.

This is a technique used in industrial sewing. They do not use a walking foot, just this simple manipulation of fabric. I saw it done once and have ever since used it on all seams over six inches in length. Stretching is not a issue.

You could always use your walking foot which is designed to keep the fabrics together and they will come out even at the end of a long strip.

I agree with above......no stretch, just gently hold and guide the fabric and I find not going 90 mpr on the speed dial certainly helps with accuracy......saves on using glue???......

I just run the bottom fabric between my first and second fingers and the top fabric between my thumb and first finger. It seems to work for me.

I'm gonna have to try this. Wish I had heard of this before I did all the strip piecing for the rail fence type quilt I'm currently working on. It would have been so much easier/quicker.

This is interesting. I have pinned strips together (and I do mean lots of pins )and still have one of the ends come out longer. Still can't figure out why it keeps happening. May give this a try.

I would definitely use it only for sewing strips together, not for adding borders. Borders really need to be pinned.

I'm thinking the method would work great for Jelly Roll Race Quilts. Just not sure how well it will work once the pieces get wide.

I generally don't pin long straight seams. Often, I gently align the 2 pieces with the bottom one resting on my middle finger, the top on my pointer, keeping barely taut, not pulling.

I've been doing this for years and wouldn't think of using pins!! Yes, it is a great method!! I've never had a problem with stretching. .....Now....."with pins" - I have lots of problems so that's why I don't use pins anymore.

I saw this technique on one of the quilting shows we USED TO get (but can't get anymore). I'm not sure who showed it -- perhaps Clothilde or Mary Ellen Hopkins. I've tried it, but I've got "two left hands" -- if you know what I mean. So I'm a pinner/slight stretcher and it usually works out.

This is how I do it, I never really thought about it before.:thumbup:

I remember hearing this a long time ago but haven't remembered to use it. As for stretch, I think you have to hold enough fabric in ea. hand to avoid a stretch.

The way I was taught to sew long strips is to hold the top strip up off the bottom strip until it goes under the needle. This feeds the top strip the same as the bottom and keeps the edges matched almost automatically. If the strip is long enough I toss it over my shoulder (jelly roll race quilt sewing).