trouble lining up seams
12-07-2011, 12:53 PM
#11
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was the cutting accurate and are you making a consistent and accurate seam.
It sounds like it could be one of the two.
When problems like this occur it is helpful to go back and analyze each step to find out where the problem is.
If you afre hand piecing then it should be easy to ease in some areas.
I am not sure I understood the process to give a really informed answer.
It sounds like it could be one of the two.
When problems like this occur it is helpful to go back and analyze each step to find out where the problem is.
If you afre hand piecing then it should be easy to ease in some areas.
I am not sure I understood the process to give a really informed answer.
12-07-2011, 11:45 PM
#12
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Do you mean doing it in blocks instead of rows. I thought of doing that at one point and maybe could try that. There is one square per row that I need to place by where I feel it looks best. The rest I am just doing random. I'm also trying to be sure there are no squares of the same fabric that end up next to each other, so it might be hard to plan it in blocks. In this photo I have 3 sections joined rows.
12-07-2011, 11:48 PM
#13
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One really good tip I learned in a Stack and Whack class this last month:
Put a pin in the center of the seam edge you are trying to match. Take that pin and put it in the opposite row center of the seam edge and stand it up (it helps to use a hot pad or pincushion as an extra hand). Take another pin and pin it at an angle across the seam. Take a 3rd pin and make an X with the pin you just inserted at an angle going from the next side back across the seam. You can then remove the pin standing up.
What this does is match the seam exactly with the opposite side.
Its a total pain to do, but the results are astounding. It matches up every seam exactly. All you have to do is ease the remaining seam together and wha-la you have perfectly matched seams every time.
I was taught to do this to match the points of the hexagon star Stack and Whack I was making in the class and it worked! It should work for your postage stamp quilt as well.
Good luck!
Put a pin in the center of the seam edge you are trying to match. Take that pin and put it in the opposite row center of the seam edge and stand it up (it helps to use a hot pad or pincushion as an extra hand). Take another pin and pin it at an angle across the seam. Take a 3rd pin and make an X with the pin you just inserted at an angle going from the next side back across the seam. You can then remove the pin standing up.
What this does is match the seam exactly with the opposite side.
Its a total pain to do, but the results are astounding. It matches up every seam exactly. All you have to do is ease the remaining seam together and wha-la you have perfectly matched seams every time.
I was taught to do this to match the points of the hexagon star Stack and Whack I was making in the class and it worked! It should work for your postage stamp quilt as well.
Good luck!
12-07-2011, 11:53 PM
#14
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OH yeah, I agree, I've had to make sure to add many short term goal projects such as sewing clothes or bags, or knitting stuff along the way .This quilt is a long term goal...like I've never taken on!
12-07-2011, 11:57 PM
#15
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I hand pieced a wallhanging and had a similar problem of lining up rows of seams, I found pins were a pain in the ....... as I was always stabbing myself or getting the thread tangled. I ended up taking a needle and thread and tying the seam. I put put the needle through one side of the seam I needed to match up, leaving a nice long tail of thread, and then brought it up the other side and just tied a knot with the 2 ends. I did this to all the seams in the row before I started sewing, they all line up beautifully. ( I hope this makes sense 
)
)
12-08-2011, 12:12 AM
#16
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I use that skinny double back tape when I am trying to match up seams. I place it on one seam horizontally, then press the other seam down on it, matching the seams. I open the fabric to see if the seams are together. If they aren't, I reposition. The tape stays sticky through several adjustments if needed.
12-08-2011, 04:21 AM
#17
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I love hand piecing and long to do a grandmother's garden quilt that way some day. The "boring" part of hand piecing for me is marking all the pieces to ensure an accurate 1/4" seam. I have used the thread basting method to ensure matched seams even when machine piecing as it allows you to "ease" the longer side without puckers, especially on the straight of grain side. I was also taught to "stitch through" not stitch down the seam allowance. When I do use pins, they are the little tiny ones.
Would love to see a pic of what you've done so far. It sounds ambitious!
Would love to see a pic of what you've done so far. It sounds ambitious!
12-08-2011, 05:37 AM
#18
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12-08-2011, 09:49 AM
#19
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I love hand piecing and long to do a grandmother's garden quilt that way some day. The "boring" part of hand piecing for me is marking all the pieces to ensure an accurate 1/4" seam. I have used the thread basting method to ensure matched seams even when machine piecing as it allows you to "ease" the longer side without puckers, especially on the straight of grain side. I was also taught to "stitch through" not stitch down the seam allowance. When I do use pins, they are the little tiny ones.
Would love to see a pic of what you've done so far. It sounds ambitious!
Would love to see a pic of what you've done so far. It sounds ambitious!
Last edited by suncenter; 12-08-2011 at 09:51 AM.
12-08-2011, 04:08 PM
#20
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Sorry, I saw that. I am majorly impressed by your ambition and tenacity! What I can tell from the picture looks well matched!
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