I seem to always have a hard time getting my seams to match. Even if i do exact 1/4 inch it still seems to be off after i press. Does anyone have any tips brand new quilter here,

Thanks

I pin everything and sometimes there might be a slight easement to make them match. I also press everything and use starch at each seam. It helps along with a lot of practice. You also need to make sure you are using a quilting foot that is exactly 1/4" seam allowance and that the edge is right under the foot. Regular sewing feet seem to be "just over" 1/4".

Consistent seams, sharp pressing, nesting and pinning both sides of the seam, gently easing in (with pinning) any differences and practice...you'll get there, not to worry. It'll become second nature, I promise. :D

I have fallen in love with my 1/4" foot. It seems to help keep those seems even to a point. Of course the person doing the sewing sometimes causes me trouble, she just can't seem to see straight some days. LOL

Ditto to that. Also if I'm piecing and having issues I'll use some spray starch. Spray the fabric then iron real good and that will stiffen the fabric and help the fabric from stretching. :thumbup:

I pin first at the intersection of seams and then out to the edges. This (usually) gives me accurate points and if I need to ease/fudge the balance of the seam it's not quite so noticable. I pin straight up/down through the center of both intersections then pin closely on either side of the original pin. If your pin is not happy staying perpendicular to the piece you are pinning, lay your pin along the seam line you want to match to when pinning on either side. This usually keeps things straight. Hopefully that made sense.

Also remember that if you need to 'ease' fabric, put the side with the most fabric on the underside you are sewing - i.e., bunchier fabric to the feed dogs...this will also help ease your fabric. Make sure you pin your ends together where they are supposed to meet. Pull/stretch your fabric as necessary along the way. Steam is your friend when you are pressing after sewing.

Cutting accurately in the beginning is of major importance if your seams are accurate and the pieces still don't match up. Make sure your cuts are precise over the entire piece. If you are making several squares to piece, and your cuts are even the tiniest bit off on each one,, each bit adds up. Also, sometimes if you are using different quality of fabrics, some weaves might stretch more than others. Careful pressing (NOT pushing the iron back and forth-just "press") is a good habit to get into to prevent stretching when pressing

Fudge when you have to. Fabric has a lot of give and take, so make it work for you. Instead of pins, I use my fingers to feel the two seams intersect, pinch it together, and work through the machine. After a while, feeling the two seams lock becomes second nature. My seams are usually perfect with this method.

You can glue baste the seams to a perfect match then sew. If the seams are off to much to distort the piece then it will be something you will have to correct in your sewing. There is a 1/4" wide double sided wash away tape that is excellent to get the perfect 1/4" seam on very stubborn blocks. It's called Magic Tape and found at most craft stores.

Quilt pros use shortcuts and unconventional items to achieve perfectly constructed quilts and they don't tell all of them!

I rarely pin anything anymore.....Like you, I feel the seams lock together and then hold them tight with my finger while easing under the needle.....and my seams are usually :lol: :lol: right on.....I also ease in any extra on the bottom side.....I don't have time to be too fussy, if it's off a bit, it's ok cause most people will never see it by the time the quilt is quilted and washed!