Hi everyone

I have a question...

What is the best way to sew 3 inch size squares together?

Are you suppose to Iron them first before you sew them together? I know this is kinda a stupid question to ask but I want to make sure that I do this right.

Can you hand sew the squares together?

Is it better to sew them together using a Sewing Machine?

Okay I have lots of Questions on here and I'm hoping that I can get some answers.

If you sew them together by Sewing Machine how much of a seam do you have when you get done sewing them together? Is it the 1/4 inch seam?

I'm new to this so that is why I have lots of Questions...

Thanks for your help/suggestions...It is very much appreciative.

:)

Whether you sew by hand or machine is a matter of personal preference. There are lots of people who hand piece rather than machine piece. It's up to you.

The quarter inch seam is the traditional seam for quilters. To figure out if you are sewing a true quarter inch seam, take three strips of material that are 2.5 inches wide (by about 4 inches long) and sew them together. The center piece should measure exactly 2 inches wide. If it isn't, adjust as needed. There are feet available for your machine that have an edge that runs along the edge of the fabric to place the needle at the quarter inch spot. You can also adjust your needle side to side, or put a piece of tape or tape a piece of plastic or cardboard to your sewing machine as a guide.

You don't need to iron your squares after cutting, in fact this can distort the fabric. Iron BEFORE cutting, and starching helps the fabric hold it's shape. But you can iron your seams after they are sewn. First, lay the piece down with the two right sides together, just as they were sewn. Put your iron on it in an up and down motion, not side to side, just to set the seam. If you are hand piecing, open the piece up and iron the seam toward the darker fabric. If you are machine piecing, you can either do that, or iron the seam open. Either way, you "press", not "scrub" with the iron.

As far as sewing squares together, are you talking about making a nine patch? If that is what you are making, sew three rows of three squares. Press the top and bottom rows of seams in one direction, and press the middle row of squares in the opposite direction. Then when you place the rows together, the seams will "butt up" against one another nicely. Pin every seam well before you sew.

Good luck and make sure and post photos for us!

Thank you so much for replying back to all of my questions...I'm not sure what kind of block I'm going to be putting together yet...I just saw one that I really like and is real easy to make too so I'm still thinking about my "Blocks" in how I want to make them.

I will be posting pictures as I go along....

Thanks once again....I'm taking notes...LOL :)

Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting and this site! You will get so much personal satisfaction and sense of accomplishment from making a quilt. We will be here to help and encourage you along the way.No question ever goes unanswered long here. There are some really great people here willing to help you! :-D
Keep us posted as you go along....
Ditter

Thank you so much Ditter...I really appreciate this....I know that I will get lots of help from here and new insights, tips, suggestions.

I have learned some things about cutting already and how to Iron the seams thanks to the quilters on here that told me how to do it and their suggestions/tips.

:)

Welcome bq, you will get lots of help here. The world of quilting is so much fun and so rewarding, you are going to love it!!

Glad to have you here. Ask all the questions you want.

I'll add my 'welcome', also. You will find the help you need right here. Quilting can be such a satisfying hobby. We get the fun of creating, and the fun of having someone else enjoy what we have created!

Glad you joined us, and happy piecing! :D

We have some wonderful beginner tutorials on this board. Here's a good one: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-6460-1.htm

Dive in and start. It's so much fun. You will love it! And don't forget to show us pictures. We like pictures!