OK, so I have the horizontal rows sewn and now trying to match the verticals on the double Irish chain. The thing is, it is a queen size (huge) and after trying to pin the darn thing and sew across it never fails that at least one block seam is beyond what I deem acceptable. The only thing I can think to do is hand stitch each intersection before sewing on the machine to ensure they align. I know a lot of imperfections will disappear once I quilt on the diagonal through the chain, but I’d like to get it as close as possible, do you have any suggestions that may help me achieve this?

When I wanted seams to match up I put one pin horizontally in the seam allowance and flip it open and check my alignment, then I tend to put 3-5 pins close to each other in that spot. I then sew a block or two, stop with my needle down and check the first block, sew another, check again..... that way if i do not like how one looks I only have to rip out a block or two instead of the whole row. I am a newbie so I tend to do a lot of checking as I go, love/hate that seam ripper LOL

Amma is right about the pins at each intersection, and a walking foot helps a lot too. Good luck!

check the end of each seam, we all seem to end a little bit narrow and this can add up per block. good luck :D

Steve, when I was watching Simply Quilts this morning, they were using some double (?) pins that would snug in on either side of a seam. They looked a little like a long staple. Alex's guest said she first pokes a pin straight through the seams to make sure they line up, then puts the double pin in to secure it. They said the pins should be available at quilt shops. I don't remember seeing them at JoAnn's, which is where I usually buy my fabric. I'm going to look at our quilt shop next time I'm in there. I have the same trouble with my seams on long rows and it is quite irritating!

When I'm sewing long rows that need to line up I also use a lot of pins but I also set my stitch length to the longest. I sew it and if I like the way it lined up then I reset my stitch length and resew. That way if it doesn't line up right it is really easy to undo.

When I did my irish chain quilt I pinned pinned and more pinned. I pinned every place the block seams lined up, and if it needed tweeking because of not perfect allowances, the undersized block was stretched a touch, and they were double checked as I sewed. I couldn't believe I got it together as well as I did. hope it helps.
Deb :mrgreen:

well Steve, I'm sorry but I don't feel your pain! I'm doing a queen size triple Irish chain and it's going together so well it's scary! It is a challenge to wrestle it around tho. Can't wait to show it off, I hope I didn't just jinx the rest of it! It's for my FIL

Steve,

When I did my DI, I made sure to press my seams so that the rows went in opposite directions and could butt each other up. Used 2 pins (1 on either side of the seam). Then I held my breathe and did an ancient Inca warriors prayer, spun in my chair 3 times for luck and did it :lol:

Good luck!

Lee

Lee has the right idea. When you make your checkerboard squares, every other strip is pressed a different way. When you cut it up and reverse the strips end to end, they will interlock. Pin well before and after the intersection. I then took my my Elna and set it for the longest stitch. I sewed a 1/8 seam across the point where two seams came together. Just an inch or two. I turned it over, checked, if it was OK, it went over to the Bernina where the final seam was sewn @ 2 1/2 1/4 inch seam. I then easily pulled out the original basting seams.

Lot of work?

Yep.

Worth it?

Good Luck.

tim in san jose

My seem are pressed correctly but- check it often, long stitches and pin the patooty out of it. Thanks all, it's a slow go, but I think the hints are paying off.