I started out sewing quilt seams by hand piecing. They teach you to begin your stitching a quarter inch in on the seam when you are going to have seams that will need pressing open to keep a sharp point and distribute the bulk on the back of the block. The use of a scant quarter inch seam is important too with busy designs. In some cases a eighth of a seam is used in those pinwheel type blocks to eliminate the bulk.
This information has served me well all these years being able to "read" how the back needs to be treated to have a balance after it is finished. I hope this helps a little. Think ahead and Remember, pressing is a straight down motion, not scrubbing around those bias edges that will stretch like a sweater very easily.
One more thing. Use a new sharp needle and your straight stitch plate one your machine.
In the case of a y seam, you are in essence just turning the fabric at the sharp point and sewing down the other side. Stop with your needle down at the Y point, turn your work, align the edges together, sew down the other seam. It is kind of like turning a street corner.
Last edited by RedGarnet222; 10-21-2015 at 08:56 AM.