Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Hand piecing vs. Machine Piecing >
  • Hand piecing vs. Machine Piecing

  • Hand piecing vs. Machine Piecing

    Old 04-15-2017, 11:53 AM
      #1  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Nov 2008
    Location: Louisiana
    Posts: 317
    Default Hand piecing vs. Machine Piecing

    I am making a Winding Ways quilt. It has curved seams and intersections with multiple seams creating bulk. I have made 3 blocks, one is machine pieced and three are hand pieced. I like that the seams on the hand pieced blocks are stitched from point of seam intersection to point of seam intersection instead of raw edge-to-raw edge. It leaves the seam allowances free, and the multiple seam intersection more flexible, if that makes sense. Is that feature helpful for quilting over seams?

    If there's no huge end benefit to hand piecing, I may go back to stitching on the machine. Even with all the pinning on the curved seams and narrow joining pieces, it is faster than doing it by hand.
    elizajo is offline  
    Old 04-15-2017, 12:44 PM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Michigan
    Posts: 11,276
    Default

    I have made several winding ways quilts and have done them all by machine without a problem. They were all die cut, however. Here's one:
    http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t198142.html

    Also, I have the book: "Winding Ways Quilts: A Practically Pinless Approach"
    https://www.amazon.com/Winding-Ways-...s=winding+ways

    she gives tips on pressing that make the block lay flat, and her technique really is almost pinless. You can get a used copy pretty reasonably priced. She also has a lot of interesting setting options. Worthwhile if you are going to make more.
    PaperPrincess is offline  
    Old 04-15-2017, 01:09 PM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2009
    Posts: 15,639
    Default

    The lady who authored the book is in my guild. She is quite a prolific quilter.

    I believe that few patterns lend themselves to hand piecing. This one fits the bill in my opinion. I generally try which method works best for me and then make the decision.
    MadQuilter is offline  
    Old 04-15-2017, 02:41 PM
      #4  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jul 2008
    Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
    Posts: 10,477
    Default

    I applaud anyone who can hand piece. I know someone who does, and her quilts are beautiful. I would be afraid to try.
    Boston1954 is offline  
    Old 04-15-2017, 05:01 PM
      #5  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Nov 2008
    Location: Louisiana
    Posts: 317
    Default

    Your quilt is beautiful, Paper Princess! Thank you for posting a link to the picture. I bought the book you suggested after I ordered my templates and started tracing and cutting out the pieces. I'm just wondering if there's any advantages to hand piecing over machine piecing on blocks with several intersecting seams.

    I think I may go back to machine sewing, so I can use my time for hand quilting it.
    elizajo is offline  
    Old 04-15-2017, 05:56 PM
      #6  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2014
    Location: Southern NY/Western TX
    Posts: 53
    Default

    Originally Posted by elizajo
    I am making a Winding Ways quilt. It has curved seams and intersections with multiple seams creating bulk. I have made 3 blocks, one is machine pieced and three are hand pieced. I like that the seams on the hand pieced blocks are stitched from point of seam intersection to point of seam intersection instead of raw edge-to-raw edge. It leaves the seam allowances free, and the multiple seam intersection more flexible, if that makes sense. Is that feature helpful for quilting over seams?

    If there's no huge end benefit to hand piecing, I may go back to stitching on the machine. Even with all the pinning on the curved seams and narrow joining pieces, it is faster than doing it by hand.

    I have machine pieced 3 double wedding rings quilts by machine. The instructions all said to mark a small pencil dot 1/4" from the stitched from point of seam intersection to point of seam intersection and leave the ends free. It works. This may help you to machine piece of your winding ways quilt with similar results of your hand piecing.
    CMQUILTER is offline  
    Old 04-16-2017, 12:54 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2016
    Location: Blue Ridge Mountians
    Posts: 7,075
    Default

    The bigger template sizes are easier to navigate than the smaller templates. Just a thought.
    Jane Quilter is offline  
    Old 04-16-2017, 01:59 AM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Illinois
    Posts: 9,018
    Default

    Have you checked out any YouTube tutes on this block.....there may be some "trick" to ease into that bulky seam situation....
    Geri B is offline  
    Old 04-17-2017, 02:22 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Posts: 2,255
    Default

    I've used both hand- and machine-piecing for this block, and both worked OK for me. Of course, machine piecing can be faster, but you need to line up your pieces just so. I love the look of the pattern, but one quilt was enough for me!
    Mkotch is offline  
    Old 04-17-2017, 02:33 AM
      #10  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2013
    Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
    Posts: 16,105
    Default

    I tried the curved piecing and was just careful not to stretch or tug but to just hold and guide. Then I sneezed!! Near the end!!
    tessagin is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Elsie
    Main
    91
    04-21-2011 11:33 AM
    Happy Treadler
    Main
    48
    03-30-2011 07:43 AM
    beginnerpiecer
    Main
    4
    12-06-2009 07:54 AM
    bookwormsub
    Main
    4
    10-08-2009 09:43 AM
    Elsie
    Pictures
    20
    06-27-2008 11:09 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off


    FREE Quilting Newsletter