Problem with 3/8" sashing
 

Good morning all

Imagine you have to add two 3/8“ sashings and the seam allowance from the first one has to be ironed to the right, can’t even be lifted to the left temporarily.

If I try to add the second one I have three layers of fabric (depending on the pattern up to five) under the left side of the presser foot and on the right side only one. Therefore I keep slipping off and have a hard time to get a straight seam.

How do you deal with that problem? I thought of sticking something under the right side of the presser foot to level it out!? Do you have any idea?
Thanks a lot
Granny

Will your zipper work foot?

In her book Bindings Borders and Edges, Sally Collins suggests that on very narrow borders you add extra width to your border fabrics so you don't have the one-foot-off syndrome. I have NOT tried this but will be doing so on current project. She also explains how to do multiples and then grade the seam allowances and press.

I recommend that any all of her other books - she leaves nothing to the imagination.

I recently added a 1 1/2" border to a quilt which is the smallest I've tried to add....it worked best for me to have the quilt on top and the border underneath. (Does that makes sense?)

If I have more then one border I sew all of them together first then attach it to the quilt, same with sashing for a block. I would iron the seam open so not so much bulk.

thank you all.
I dont understand the Sally Collins method in this specific case. What does it help to make the first sashing wider if I have to sew at 3/8" anyway? And I cant make the blocks bigger (DJ) to have fabric under both sides ot the presser foot. Maybe I should buy the book as my imagination does not work on this one :-)

And sewing the two 3/8" sashings together first I would end up with even more layers on the left side attaching them to the block - wouldnt I?

I think I will try the zipper foot and see how it works.
Granny

I know there is a special foot I can get for my Pfaff that is made for uneven thicknesses. I am at work so can't tell you what it is called. Might be a solution.

I work frequently with really small sashings and borders, some will finish at 1/4 inch or just under. A few tips. Starch these prior to cutting , and I mean STARCH the daylights out of them . I use the concetrate full strenght for this type of work allowing it to air dry for the best stiffness. Then use a foot that allows you to needle over , so that the bulk of your fabric is under the foot, using the foot edge as a guide.
Sometimes depending on the width is it better to "ride the ridge", having the ridge under the presser foot and making the adjustments with your needle.

I make my sashings wider, press them, sew the other parts together, then trim to a 3/8 seam allowance afterwards. If I have to trim first to avoid stitching the seam allowance in the next seam, then I move my needle, switch to a different foot, or use no foot at all, to avoid that bump.

Good luck.

This looks like a good plan.
Annie