|
Something else that helps when you have cut strip sets or even quilts with a lot of small pieces...Before you put the borders on, stitch the entire outside edge of the quilt very close to the edge (1/8th"), it helps keep those seams from starting to pull apart.
|
Originally Posted by Marich52
(Post 7424059)
Something else that helps when you have cut strip sets or even quilts with a lot of small pieces...Before you put the borders on, stitch the entire outside edge of the quilt very close to the edge (1/8th"), it helps keep those seams from starting to pull apart.
|
Originally Posted by Jan in VA
(Post 7422970)
Try several different stitch lengths on a sample square.
Make them each about 2-3 inches long and about 1/2 inch apart and mark each sample with the setting on your machine that created it. Measure the different samples and find one closest to about 11-12 stitches to an inch. This is the one you are best using when strip piecing. It will help your seams with other kinds of piecing, too. If you have trouble getting the tip of our seam ripper under a stitch, try using an Clover brand seam ripper. The one below is less than $4 at Connecting Threads -- so cheap you could order 2-3 at a time! The tip of the Clover ripper is very slender and sharp and works really well. They are one of the tools that you should replace often, as they become dull, just as you would needles or rotary blades. http://www.connectingthreads.com/cft...paign=PPCgpGen Jan in VA |
Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2
(Post 7422521)
What is your stitch length? On my Bernina, I leave it at the auto setting of 2.25.
|
I appreciate the info. re: smaller stitches for piecing. Thanks.
|
I have my Janome set to 1.8 -- since I use a rotary cutter for ripping it is not too tight and they don't ravel when I do strip piecing.
|
Originally Posted by citruscountyquilter
(Post 7424173)
This is what I do as it also keeps the edges from stretching. I have done a lot of garment sewing and there it is called "stay stitching" which you often do around necklines to keep them in shape while you put a collar on etc. Once I have my quilt quilted but before the binding I also stitch around the perimeter to keep all the layers together for when I put my binding on It also keeps whatever seams I have in my borders in check.
|
Very useful info! I set my pfaff in 2.3 for piecing. I,d like to begin strip piecing so I,ll set 2.0 thank you very much!
|
You could also back stitch a stitch or two to lock them. A friend of mine that is learning how to make a quilt has the same problem and its usually because we man handle our quilt so much between the sewing, pressing, connecting to each other, etc. At least this seems to be the problem for me when I have this issue.
|
Originally Posted by KenmoreGal2
(Post 7423136)
Done. I found the sweet spot that is 11-12 stitches per inch and stuck a post it there to mark it. I am getting the impression that's the spot I want to use for most of my sewing anyway?
Most of the time, I'd agree. It's what I've done successfully for decades anyway. I was thinking no matter how loosely I stitched my blocks, the quilting would hold everything together in the end. Wrong?? Not likely, as the stress of "living" on the seams will often make a block come apart. The way I look at it: piecing holds the blocks together; quilting holds the quilt together -- and -- adds decorative elements. :) Thank you everyone for recent complimentary remarks about my responses. I have been away from posting for a while since major surgery in May followed by Mother's stroke in the fall. It's almost like I am back in class teaching again and I didn't realize how I had missed it! It's rewarding to know you all like my thoughts. :o |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:10 AM. |