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Old 04-12-2011, 10:00 AM
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Wunder-Mar
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,265
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Okay, the title is a bit more panicky than I feel, but I do sincerely need some flannel-sewing tips,

I have made four flannel quilts, 3 of them pieced. Matching seams was my major challenge because the fabric is so "fat" by nature - matching seams was really hit-or-miss results-wise, and many of the seams I was certain were pinned in place were [WHOA!] after sewing them. Is there something I can do (or NOT do) to make matching seams a much easier task, or at least a not-so-discouraging one????

I buy top quality flannel, use top quality pins/thread & needles, am very careful not to stretch or distort the fabric while sewing, and generally do a lot of things "right," but, boy, those "off" seams/intersections is so disheartening. I've been quilting for 20 years now and have decades experience sewing garments and gowns: why is flannel giving me such heartburn?!?!?

I have a ton of 2 1/2" squares left over from my 3 grandkids' flannel quilts - I want to use them to make a quilt for me so I can snuggle up to all of them after they move to California come July (I am in Florida). The pattern I've chosen is a 16-patch with sashing enhancements; it's a size I worked with making their quilts, and I'm comfortable with the size of the squares.

So, Experienced Flannel Quilters, I would welcome any and all tips to help me match seams more easily and anything else I might not have thought of to do/not do while sewing with flannel. Many, many thanks for whatever help you can lend!
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