Loose seams: help!
 

Morning all....
Am working on a quilt top made with a gazillion little triangles. I decided before cutting out all 1200 little triangles and then joining them in groups of 4 to make bigger triangles, (shudder) I would do a trial run with enough triangles to construct 2 completed rows sewn together to see how it all would look.
Despite using the rotary cutter and template as carefully as I could some of my triangle seams have been reluctant to line up. Okay, I can live with the inaccuracies....first attempt at this sort of sewing...no-ones' perfect...and so on....BUT what is worrying me is that some of my seams, once I have pressed my triangles, are sort of showing the machine stitching...almost like the stitching is a bit loose? My tension is good and I am loathe to fiddle with it as it is not happening on every construct seam. Should I worry about this? I am planning to do fmq over the quilt top so will it be a problem? i also have a little bit of puckering on some of my triangles as I have persuaded them to seam match with their neighbour.....once again, will this matter once I have fmq the top?
All advice greedily devoured!

as long as your seams are not pulling apart on the ends and your tension seems fine it will probably be fine- you could shorten your stitch length a little bit-that may help are you pressing to one side or pressing your seams open? if you are pressing them open- changing that - pressing to the dark side- or to one side will keep the seams from showing...once it is all quilted & bound, it will more than likely not be noticable.

You might want to starch your fabric before cutting. This helps a lot when you are working
on bias edges...less distortion, etc.

it sounds exactly like your pushing them a bit with the iron instead of PRESSING them first press the seam shut on the back to one side and do all of them to the same side dark say vs the light side. NOW turn it over press down. if you push that seam with your iron too hard it will show the stitches. tada .. also once you have cut your triangles and sew them into bigger triangles you can trim those to size if well rows dont have to line up otherwise double check your cuts I guess. pressing them again stops the distortion which gives you wonky triangles. also do not use crud once you have sewn them together. ruined a lot last year doing that til the fabric was so warped. so water great before you cut once you cut it leave it be. NO STEAM. dump that water from your iron rightnow. do not use steam. groan do I know. spray starch works best when the whole block is done in my not too humble have ruined things opinion. only press no ironing. took me forever to stop doing that. ironing. i

Ahhhhh, okay that sounds like what I've been doing...pushing with the iron instead of pressing. So, after a bit of time will my push ironing seams relax?
Yes ma'am, ( I'm saluting you as we speak!) I've emptied my water...stepped right away from my water.....promise not to touch my water and steam again! hahaha I've also shortened my stitch length a bit too so will see how I go.
Thanks so much peoples. Now also...should I square up my rows before sewing them together as they are a bit wonky or can I just square it all up when I've finished sewing all the rows together?

Ok...hope I am visualising this right ('tis late in the day), now you've worked out pressing as opposed to ironing and your stitch length is shorter before plowing ahead with stitching those rows ...carefully match your seams, without too much pulling/distorting and pin, pin, pin. Yes, it is tedious but it will be of benefit in the long run. Also, tempting as it is....don't put your pedal to the metal....take it nice and steady and keep to that 1/4 inch seam....you can sticky tape a bit of card to your machine bed if that helps keep you on track. Just a tip as you progress, when you are stitching long rows, sew from alternate ends each row....this stops distortion and keeps things nice and neat. Oh...and above all, relax and have fun and don't forget we love pictures:)

Thanks all...now where do I post my pics and is it okay to post a pic of just my 2 little rows sewn together as opposed to a finished quilt? I'm still in the process of cutting out my gazillion triangles.....just thought I would construct enough to put 2 rows together initially to see if it was going to look okay so I've still got a heap more cutting and sewing to do.

Xbox to pictures below main. Quilters do put unfinished projects as well as selections of fabrics they are thinking of using. Waiting to see your triangles. I made a bag with small cup cake blocks cut into triangles it is still going fine after 3 years. I spray start her all squares before sewing or cutting some of the ends of seams did unthread so on the pockets I back stitched one stitch at beginning and end to strengthen.i did not not hoti iron I finger pressed gently To put seam in.

You can post a pic on this thread....go down the page see Post Quick Reply....select the middle tag "Go Advanced" type in your words....go down the page a bit and it will allow you to add attachments from your files. Personally I like pics of all kinds...finds...fabrics...workrooms...not just finished quilts. As long as it's in the right spot, there should be no problem.

Here is a pic of my 2 little rows...am thinking I should have squared/neatened them a bit before joining but will do so from now on. The rows measure 145 cm in length, want to finish with a cream border and multi colored binding.