Keeping fabric edges together on long seams
09-22-2012, 10:42 AM
#34
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I would definitely use it only for sewing strips together, not for adding borders. Borders really need to be pinned.
I'm thinking the method would work great for Jelly Roll Race Quilts. Just not sure how well it will work once the pieces get wide.
I'm thinking the method would work great for Jelly Roll Race Quilts. Just not sure how well it will work once the pieces get wide.
09-22-2012, 10:42 AM
#35
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I generally don't pin long straight seams. Often, I gently align the 2 pieces with the bottom one resting on my middle finger, the top on my pointer, keeping barely taut, not pulling.
09-22-2012, 10:46 AM
#36
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Location: Madison, Ohio
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I've been doing this for years and wouldn't think of using pins!! Yes, it is a great method!! I've never had a problem with stretching. .....Now....."with pins" - I have lots of problems so that's why I don't use pins anymore.
09-22-2012, 10:54 AM
#37
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Louisiana
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I saw this technique on one of the quilting shows we USED TO get (but can't get anymore). I'm not sure who showed it -- perhaps Clothilde or Mary Ellen Hopkins. I've tried it, but I've got "two left hands" -- if you know what I mean. So I'm a pinner/slight stretcher and it usually works out.
09-22-2012, 11:29 AM
#38
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Originally Posted by moreland
I attended a class at a retreat this week and the lady told us how to keep the edges of long seams together. Why hadn't I heard this before in the 69 years that I have been sewing?????
Anyway she told us to hold the bottom fabric with our right hand and to hold the top fabric with our left hand as you match up the edges and then feed the fabric into the sewing machine. I can't believe how easy it is to have edges perfectly matched! Thought maybe I wasn't the only "old timer" or new sewer for that matter, that had not heard of this tip.
I seldom attend a class but what some tip or technique is taught that is new to me. Isn't learning new things great! I love it.
Anyway she told us to hold the bottom fabric with our right hand and to hold the top fabric with our left hand as you match up the edges and then feed the fabric into the sewing machine. I can't believe how easy it is to have edges perfectly matched! Thought maybe I wasn't the only "old timer" or new sewer for that matter, that had not heard of this tip.
I seldom attend a class but what some tip or technique is taught that is new to me. Isn't learning new things great! I love it.
09-22-2012, 04:59 PM
#39
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Western Arizona
Posts: 1,930
Originally Posted by ghostrider
Sounds too easy to stretch the edges that way to me. I'm glad you're so happy with it, but I'll stick with pinning for ease and acuracy.
09-22-2012, 05:11 PM
#40
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Location: Front row
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The way I was taught to sew long strips is to hold the top strip up off the bottom strip until it goes under the needle. This feeds the top strip the same as the bottom and keeps the edges matched almost automatically. If the strip is long enough I toss it over my shoulder (jelly roll race quilt sewing).
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