Originally Posted by
mhollifiel
NOTE: By alternating the short and long sides you avoid having to "nest" the short side seams and avoid bulk when quilting. Since you are looking at the front and the overall design when you are deciding where to put the blocks, you may not think so much about seams. After you decide what your best block overall layout is, check on these short side seams "living" next to each other. UNLESS you are using a directional (has a top and bottom to it) center block, a simple 90 degree turn of abutting short sides will eliminate bulk. HOWEVER, if you don't think of this, it won't matter much in the greater scheme of things. I just like to eliminate seams crossing seams where I have a choice. My machine can handle these bumps but she's becoming an old gal like me and I like to look out for her.
Gee, thanks! I never would have thought of alternating the seam. I want to make this pattern, and can certainly see how doing that will help. But don't you have to do a partial seam when you start the square? Then all the sides will look the same.
Edit: OK now I looked at it again, and figured out that you can make the blocks with two short borders and two long borders. It's when you put these final blocks together that you turn every other one on its side. Thanks again.