Nesting
 

I am making a 16 square block. It is a gingham block quilt. Is it necessary to nest? If so, how do I do that? I don't like the idea of clipping the fabric.

Thanks for the help.

For a 16 patch, you can press the first row to the right, the second to the left, 3rd right, 4th left. This will allow the seams to nest and match easily.
No, it's not necessary, but it does make it easier to match the seams.

I presume you mean a block that has 4 rows of 4 squares. Nesting would make neater intersections.

There are two ways of sewing the squares together, so that the seams will nest. The first way would be to sew each row of 4 squares and then press the seams for row 1 and 3 in one direction and rows 2 and 4 in the opposite direction. When you put row 1 and 2 together, the seams will nest very nicely. Same for 3 and 4. After all the seams are sewn, you can unpick the seam allowance and 'swirl' the seams at all the intersections.

The second way would be to make four 4 patches, pressing and swirling the seams in the same way for each one. Then join them together and swirl the connecting seams.

Good advice from the two ladies above me. There are YouTube videos for spinning seams if you want to do the 4-patch method. Nesting only means that the seam allowances are pressed in opposite directions so they can snug up against each other when sewed. It doesn't require clipping anything. I'm sure there are videos online of this too.

Good luck!

Found you a good little video on nesting seams:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqbFD7m44hg

Another option is to sew your 4 strips the length of all 4 blocks ( 10" if using 2 1/2" squares) together. Press these seams in one direction. Then when you sub cut into rows you alternate every other row. Your seams will be pressed and ready to nest.

I use a short stitch length and press seams open

I'm an open-seam presser myself as well. Find that my seams/points match much easier than with 'nesting'.

Thank you for your help.

Thank you for your help.