Mini quilt seam allowance advice?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 192
Mini quilt seam allowance advice?
I have never made a truly miniature quilt, only some small wall hangings. I think 3/4" HST is the smallest finished block I have done, and that was with Thangles. I was considering making some miniaturized blocks for Christmas mug rugs though.
At what point do you decide to go with a 1/8" seam over a 1/4"?
And, do you sew at 1/4 and then trim to 1/8?
or do you just sew carefully? I have never done a 1/8" seam, so maybe it isn't as difficult as I think.
Thanks!
At what point do you decide to go with a 1/8" seam over a 1/4"?
And, do you sew at 1/4 and then trim to 1/8?
or do you just sew carefully? I have never done a 1/8" seam, so maybe it isn't as difficult as I think.
Thanks!
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,131
If I were doing something that small I would oversize it and then trim it down to the correct size. That is what I have seen done on TV quilting shows. I would still try to leave 1/4" but you could trim it down to a skimpy 1/4" or press the seams open.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Beautiful Wyoming
Posts: 374
I've watched Sue Bouchard demonstrate mini quilts in this video. She usually sews with a 1/4" seam, then trims it back to 1/8". Here is a link to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwJox1KEodk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwJox1KEodk
#4
I use 1/4 "seam and trim them after I sew the basic pieces together.
example: after I sew a half square triangle I will press it and then trim the seam allowance.
If I am making a four patch I will trim the seam after I sew the first set and after the second set. Then I will starch and press the seams and the trimmed patches are ready to sew into a four patch.
Each seam is trimmed as you go and then the entire block is ready to piece and all the seams are trimmed and ready to go.
I do the same thing as I sew the blocks together.
Sewing an 1/8" seam is almost impossible to get accurate.
example: after I sew a half square triangle I will press it and then trim the seam allowance.
If I am making a four patch I will trim the seam after I sew the first set and after the second set. Then I will starch and press the seams and the trimmed patches are ready to sew into a four patch.
Each seam is trimmed as you go and then the entire block is ready to piece and all the seams are trimmed and ready to go.
I do the same thing as I sew the blocks together.
Sewing an 1/8" seam is almost impossible to get accurate.
#7
I typically paper piece my really small stuff. I then trim the seams down "layered" so the fabric on the bottom has a 1/8" seam and the fabric that sits on the top of the seam is slightly larger.
#9
I've watched Sue Bouchard demonstrate mini quilts in this video. She usually sews with a 1/4" seam, then trims it back to 1/8". Here is a link to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwJox1KEodk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwJox1KEodk
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