Rachelcb80

So with the glue basting, just stick a little bit right where my seams match, stick them together and press it with a dry iron? What about if you don't line them up correctly and you have to redo the glue? Does the fabric come apart easily at all?

The problem is happening on that outside strip that I piece on last. Seems that some of the strips are too long for the block and I'm having to pin on the straight seams and ease inbetween. I was thinking maybe my 1/4" was too scant on those last strips. I'm sure I'll get it all figured out on the last block. :)

Kathy, I love where you said you've never made a perfect quilt, but each quilt you've made has perfects spots. How true!!

Quiltgranny

I'm in agreement with Deb, too. It 'looks' like your seams may be too deep, more than 1/4". Does your pattern call for 1/4" or a scant 1/4"? Have you measured your seam width to make sure it is what your pattern calls for? Some directions will call for a scant 1/4" when you have so many pieces in a block, but others do not. Consistency is what matters.

Also, what type of thread you use for piecing can make a big difference on the outcome, too. Many quilters have switched to using 50 weight 2 ply for piecing instead of the traditional 3 ply. It makes a HUGE difference!! My piecing has improved tremendously just by switching to a 2 ply, like Aurafil or any other 2 ply. They are just as strong as the 2 ply, but thinner so they take up less room in the seam.

I've pieced a lot of blocks similar to the ones you're doing, and it does look like, as Deb mentioned about the alignment, that your seam might be too deep, more than 1/4".

Be patient, checking these few steps will go a long way to improve your piecing, as will practice. As another poster said, you are doing a fairly complicated block, so please, don't be so hard on yourself. You will be much happier with the end result if you rip and redo once you've found out what's causing the misalignment. Best of luck and please, keep us posted on your progress.

Karla

quiltilicious

I also ease the fabric (pull on the top or bottom) to get the seams to line up if there's a slight mismatch.

If I absolutely, positively have to have everything be "perfect" I paper piece. I get much better results with points that way.

GrammaNan

I call them tailor tacks and that is what I have to resort to. I have been afraid that glue will gum up my machine. Any thoughts?

quiltilicious

Karla, you just gave me an epiphany! I haven't been paying much attention to thread weights when I piece. It never occurred to me that it could significantly affect the piece size.

Pam

Isn't this board just a wealth of information?

Theresa

Just a thought...my sewing machine has a tendency to "push" places with seams. Am in the process of pressing all my seams open to try and counteract this problem. It happens when the seam is pressed towards the machine as it approaches. It doesn't happen when the seam is pressed in the direction towards me. (Does this make sense?)

Theresa

Ohhh my gosh - I just love it!!!

GrammaNan

50 weight 2 ply? I never knew about this, thanks for the tip.

franie

Oh I want to try this. Actually I do this sort of basting with my Lizzie when I think anything will shift--I baste or tack with the machine every few inches across. I pull it out before I roll the quilt.