I have a bit of a problem lining them up straight so on the first one i just did, didnt totally match up :oops: :oops:

any help ?

i m a total idiot when it comes to getting it perfect so now i m really upset and pissed off at myself............................

(i might add this is my first ever 9 patch)

sunnyhope....breathe girl!:)Here's some helpful tips that worked for me and I am sure you will get several and you just have to pick from the pile that works best for you:)

I use a 1/4" presser foot on my machine to keep my piecing always right...if you don't have one and it isn't in the budget, then measure exact and tape off a line to follow on the machine itself.

I love my omni rulers as they are really good to see thru and make my cutting perfect...or as close as it could be:)

I sew in rows...first row, middle and last...when pressing the rows, I iron 'opposite' of the next row. This is so when you put your pieces together they will sit down nice at the joint...pin so it won't move. Then sew and remove the pin before the needle hits it but right before it...so, no matter what, that seam did not move on you.

Then pay attention to when you iron the finished block. Make sure you are not dragging your fabric one way or another. I like to iron crisp and I really have to make myself behave in this department:)

Try the above and get back w/us n this! I'd love to hear how you are doing. It is usually a huge frustration when you are in the middle of it all but, then it's a 'aha'...when you figure out what or how to fix it:)Hope this helps and makes sense! Skeat

Thanks :wink:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quzu2H5xeGQ

this looked like a better way for me as i cut up a bunch of 4" squares and sewed them together, well i v only done one 9 patch but i get so frustrated :oops:
rhonda (from here ) gave me a 4" so my cutting would be quite square, well as straight and square as i can at this stage.

I might show my disaster when its done. poor Rachael( whos getting it for her baby boy)

just keep talking to us sunny hope...:)We'd love to see your pictures and remember always...we really are our worst critics:)And, 'if the guy on the galloping horse didn't see it, then it doesn't matter'....SKeat

When I pin the sewn together squares to make rows I first put a pin through the seam that's already there and turn the piece over and see if it comes out the seam on the other side.
If it does then you are good to go, if it doesn't reposition the fabric and try again.
I may not be explaining that well. :-)
Second try:
Lay one row of 3 sewn together squares right sides together with another row of three sewn squares. Poke a straight pin thru the first seam where the first and second block were sewn together. The pin should come out the back on the seam line of the bottom blocks. Leave that pin in if it's ok and do the same to the next seam then sew the two together. Maybe that makes more sense. Don't sew if they don't line up. Adjust.
I hope this helps.

mmm, anyone got pictures in their blogs perhaps?

Sunny,

Here's a link to a video showing you how to 'nest' your seams :D

http://uk.truveo.com/How-to-Nest-Pat...s/id/533513801

Are you doing this one square at a time?

For starters, make sure all your squares are the same size and square

I know that sounds very basic, but I had a friend that looked liked she had just hacked out her pieces any old which way. And then she was wondering why they weren't going together very well.

They go together much better when they are the same size and shape.

If your seam allowances are consistent, and all your squares are the same size, it should come out well enough.

Many people sew three pieces in one row, three in another row, and three pieces in a third row. Then press the seams so they alternate from row to row.

are you doing them in rows of 3? If so, then you pin each seam to the seam below ,so your rows will line up. Just take it one row at a time and you will get there. Don't give up, once you get it you will have it forever, so keep trying!

We all had trouble when we first started, but stick with it!

Ninnie

Nina I like to tack my seams together so they can't move. I think tacking is more stable than pins. Just sew a stitch across where the two seams (this is a tack)meet. Sew it where your seam will go aross the fabric. See the picture below.

Make sure the corners on your blocks are square and not off a little. Trim gently to make them square if needed.
I also tack at the sides to make sure the squares stay in place. You don't have to take the tack back out if you put them where your seam will go over the tacks.

I agree sew the first three blocks into a row. Then sew the second row of three blocks into a row. Repeat for the third row. Make sure you tack and check your tack before you sew each time to make sure the seams meet where they should.

Then sew the rows together. Tack where the seams meet and on the ends and you should have a better experience sewing your quilt block together.

I iron all my seams open and I think you can join the seams easier that way. Not so much bulk. You'll have to try ironing them open or to the side and see which is easier for you!

Hope this helps!

Get some Elmer's School glue, put a tiny dot of it on the matching seam and press. Your matching seam isn't going anywhere. Then sew the the block together. It the block is all wonky, puffy or gathered then you know your cutting isn't accurate or your 1/4" seam is off.

That is a great idea. I use a glue stick to tack on velcro so it won't move while I sew it on. I think I may try the glue trick. I piece a lot of seams!! This may make my life a lot easier! Will have to see!

That is a neat trick, Bellaboo. Just have to be careful where you put glue, though. I had some name brand...um...glu bste it? don't want to type correctly, in case i am mistaken...but, it was supposed to wash out...had put it on something, not very important, at least,...and it DID NOT wash out, with two washings, so i stopped using it. I will try it again, on some things.
Nina, you really do get better with practice. I have, so I know you will. Maybe practice a little every day on scraps for a bit, before doing so much on a project that you really want to do well.
Accurate measuring, cutting, and piecing together are the whole enchilada, so go sloooow, until you feel more comfortable speeding up. Nobody is cracking a whip, ok? :D

I m not sure how this is gonna look lol,i what is left is sew the big blocks together but i have some totally white squares too which i m gonna iron on pictures later so i guess i can just start sewing the lot together but like i said i m scared its gonna look like a bomb hit the fabric pile :oops:

I'm not sure I understand you correctly - but here goes. Don't wait to iron on those pictures. Do that now. That way, if you make a mistake, it won't already be sewn into the quilt. Now, that may be what you meant, and I misunderstood you. But just in case, I decided to bring it up!

WEll i will have to mend that problem someway cause i m kinda in a rush and yes i know its a bad thing cause i need 2 take my time but rite now its just the way it is :oops: .
if i dont add the photos it still ooks nice atleast that is what my mum says :wink:

I def need a 12 inch ruler so i can straigh my edges up in a better way than i have now but hey you learn by trying and failing rite :wink:

Not to 'horn' in, but Joanne is right, if we both understand correctly. I read, that if you put an iron to your quilt, after it has been layered, it can make your batting go flat.
Use some cardboard, and add your 1/4" seam allowance to cut your blocks. Mark your seam lines, to sew on, and iron all your seam allowances, in one row, for example, facing left.
Then after attaching the second row, iron the seam allowances, all facing to the right, or opposite direction, and then next row, and left again.
:D

I havent putthe batting on, its just the top thats ready sewn and i m not using batting cause thsi wont be a traditional quilt but a part quilt and part changing blanket, i.e i will have some towel like fabric on the other side so its practical to change messy nappies and such.
It was higly praised the first one i did :)

I saw your first one, and you did a nice job. You will again, the important thing is to keep trying. Sounds like that is just what you are doing. :D

Thank you so much :oops: :oops: :oops: