I'm seeing Y Seams Everywhere!
 

I understand that sewing diamonds and kites require the use of inset seams, also known as Y seams. I believe it's not a Y seam if the seams meet at a right angle (45 degrees). So far, so good!

However, I'm considering a more complicated (for me!) design, and it looks to me that almost every seam is a Y seam! I've alternated between "that can't be true" to "gee, they all really do look like Y seams".

I have sewn Y seams before, and am not put off by them. I'm just not sure how many seams on the photo below are truly Y seams, and if there's something I'm missing. Any answers to tips would be greatly appreciated!

That definitely looks like lots of Y seams to me as well! Yikes. I've done them, not overly fond of them but can manage. That said, I'm not sure I'd want to do that particular pattern although I think it will be beautiful.

Good luck.

I'm having problems with my scanner right now, let's see if I can get this attached, but I don't think there are that many Y seams, it depends on how you go about piecing it.

I assume this is a large/bed sized project? For smaller projects paper piecing would be the way to go. You can work in either the arcs or the petals. Maybe the scan will give you different ideas on how to approach.

No idea as to how large your finished "star" is meant to be.

But, looking at your pic, I see a major EPP project.

IOW each of the parts in the pic, would be cut as a paper template, like you would doing hexies.

Except each of these are different shaped than a hexie! You'd still use the same process/method to stitch them together, by hand. Instead of paper, I find it easier to use card stock ... either purchased or old greeting cards etc.

The centre "star", I'd find the centre point, then draw in the lines to make a multi piece unit.

Look forward to seeing yours come to life!

Sorry, I should have included the size. It is actually only 26" from edge to edge. You have identified the shape of the pattern I was using for FPP! I call them "blades" for lack of any other word. I know I will have to remove or tear some of the paper where the "pivots" take place. Even with the FPP, which helps a lot, I have having trouble where the "blades" connect.

Thanks so much! I wouldn't be averse to EPP, but doesn't the thread show on the top of the fabric? You can tell I haven't done any EPP before!

I took a class and ever seam was a Y seam. The instructor told us when the class was over we would not think twice about sewing one. She was right. She said forget the rules. She had us leaving a 1/2" or more not sewn. I left about an inch. Easy as pie to join together.

Not at all ... you put your fabric over the cardstock and fold somewhat in place. I do some long stitches through the cardstock and fabric to get it to hold in place and to get the corners folded in. A lot of people do not do this step, but I find it makes the rest of the process a lot easier, as I am not trying to hold the loose fabric, while stitching two pieces together. Use long stitches in no specific design, so that later you can easily pull them out. But I leave them all in tack until I am finished the whole thing with the first pressing done.

Then I do a short whip stitch of sorts with the two pieces back to back, aligned along one straight edge. In essence, you care catching fabric from the sides of each of the pieces. Next, join in another piece, along a straight edge. When you need to do a y-seam, then you fold your piece to get things lined up and let you get around that corner. And onwards! Clear As Mud??

For your project, I think I would do all of the first step long stitch fabric covers, before I started joining them together. Then lay them out design-wall-like, to be easily accessible as you work. I wouldn't necessarily sew it all round by round. You might find it easier to do a group of pieces, then add them in as a group periodically to the main block. You just kind of get a sense as to what works best as you go along.

As for the tediousness of the hand stitching ... I actually find it quite a relaxing thing to do!! (... that is once I got used to the process)

Good Luck!

you might also consider it as a potential applique project.

The traditional way of doing EPP seems to be folding two pieces together and whip stitiching the edges together, and yes, that can be seen. But when I do EPP, I use a ladder stitch. It is not visible at all. I also use that stitch when hand binding a quilt and when hand appliqueing. It's what works for me.

I would put it together like a curved wedge. No Y seams. Draw it out on paper and foundation piece.

GingerK ... that makes total sense! Would certainly make for a finer and neater finish. I guess I just followed the leader when I was taught, and did not really think otherwise. Though that should have been pretty obvious to me being that like you, I use the ladder stitch when hand binding. Silly Me! :) Will definitely do this the next time I do EPP. THANKS!!

I do a lot of EPP and I use the flat back method. It's the best one I've found to not have your stitches show on the front.

I challenged myself to Y seams! Yikes! I used a star pattern from Laundry Basket Quilts and never ever again! It was a BOM so I thought that would make it easier. It was nothing but Y seams. I thought if I made myself tackle them then I would not be so scared to do them. Ha! It turned out, there are some wonky parts, ( I see them ) but I did finish it and it is hanging on my wall. It is a beautiful quilt, but one I would never make again or anything like it without paper piecing.