Remind Me please...points line up
 

Having points line up when butting seams (think basic 4 square) is my major crux. I had read somewhere that I needed to "feel" for the seams nesting & do so, but there are times when they still don't butt up. It may not be a big deal for others but I would like to resolve the practice. I had also read something about having one piece ontope versus the other one so that the pressure of the foot or the dogs move the piece over. I can't remember exactly how that went. Can someone help out please? Thank you

Maybe try pressing seams open. It may work better for you.

do you pin the seams to nest? I find that I get better results if I pin just on either side of the nesting seams. And I try to always have the seam that points toward me on the bottom so that the one that I can't see is pressed down by the presser foot. The one that is facing away from me I try to keep on top so I can make sure it' doesn't get flipped by the presser foot. Does that make sense?

Nest your seams with the seams going AWAY from you on the top piece. The action of the feed dogs helps push the intersection together.

thank you!

Beautiful! To ME on the underneath!! Thank you!

"Fork" pins are great for keeping nested seams in place. Just remove the pin at the last minute!

I also stick a pin directly in the seam of the top piece, then make sure that pin is straight down into the seam of the under piece. Make sure that pin is as perfectly perpendicular as you can get it. Holding this steady, then place pins on either side of that seam as close to the seam as possible and remove the perpendicular pin. I find this helps greatly in getting my seams/points to match up and stay together during the sewing process.

I also like to nest my seams, but sometimes it's not possible due to the pattern. Also, sometimes even if the seams nest, you can't position it in the machine to make the top seam point away and the bottom seam toward you. I just do the best I can to think ahead & press so most of them will behave. The forked pins are a good suggestion, I've also read about a tiny drop of washable glue.

Yes indeed! Fork pins make lining up seams a no-brainer!

For stubborn seams I use a basting glue and press it to hold exactly where I want it. Perfect every time.

I match them up with pins. It's the only thing that works for me.

What's a "fork" pin?

press seams in different directions, but them together and pin, I put my pins at the 1/4 mark so they look nicer. Plus if you are sewing thru triangle squares like half squares, if you make sure to sew a scant inside of the 1/4 seam then it'll match better when you look on the right side.

A two pronged pin. Looks like a narrow enlongated staple

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Neuras,

Thank you for asking this question, and my thanks to all who have responded!

My "signature" baby quilt is an "I Spy" that uses 80 4.5" squares (no lattice or borders). I'm careful to press each row in a different direction so that the seams will nest. I pin them, but I'm often disappointed by the results. I will use these tips going forward!

I've been practicing but haven't been able to load any pics. Points are lining up better now!

I use the glue stick and the Clover clips. First apply the glue and put them together, then put the clip on until I get to the machine. I don't iron it or wait for it to dry - it dries quick enough since I don't use much but it works like a charm. My corners match beautifully now.

This is how I match up my seams. I have fork pins on my list...they are supposed to be great when you are joining pieces where seams have been pressed open.

This is what I do as well - I also use this method on HSTs, Flying Gees and anything else I decide must match ip.

Me too. A small dot of Elmer's School Glue at the seam and a quick hit with the iron to dry has saved my sanity in certain circumstances. When sewn, the seam will pop open if you want to press open, otherwise it will wash out in the first laundry.

I don't usually have an issue with "butting", but I do "peel" the pieces back and take a look to make sure they are next to each other. I do pin, I didn't like the "fork" pins. I haven't tried the glue, but that's a good idea.

My best weapon against unmatched seams is elmers washable glue stick. Glue the seams in place, let the glue dry, and then sew the two butting seams together. Of course, if you use this method, you have to wash the finished quilt to get the glue out.

I have seen people use the very fine straight pins to pin them in place, and that works well for them. But the pins are too darned small for me to pick up these days, so that technique is of no use to me.

And there are those times when nothing I do works. That's when I put those naughty patches in time out and let them rest until they are ready to behave. It's amazing how often that convinces the seams to match up!