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!

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.

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

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.

1/8" seams sound impossible to maintain throughout a quilt. I definitely would go with 1/4" seams and then trim but it seems too delicate for my man-sized hands and fingers! Good luck!!!

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.

I do 1/4 inch then trim.

i took a class from sally collins severalyears ago. she had us use scant 1/4" seams then trim down to 1/8". it's the way i still do my miniature quilt seams.

Like others have said watch Sue Bouchard and it will help you get comfortable with the technique. At least that was my experience.

Thanks for the tips! I started on my first mug rug last night after finding the block below. I am using 1/2" Thangles, which have a 1/4" seam allowance in them. I figure this will produce a 4.5" finished block and then I can add a little 3/4 or 1" border to make it about 5" finished. I will decide on the border size once I see it pieced.

I will be sure to trim my seams down to 1/8" before I start sewing them all together. It is going to be interesting piecing such tiny blocks! This is the smallest thing I have ever done and after seeing the little 1" units I made last night I must admit I am a little intimidated, but still eager to try it. Glad I have a straight stitch plate, tweezers, and a Sixth Finger!

found at http://martysfibermusings.blogspot.c...lf-square.html

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Best of luck--I use 1/4 seams...sometimes I trim. I let the block design guide me.

My solution? Find a bigger project. Sorry. I'm a bit off!