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Great tip.My seam ripper may get a rest now.Thanks.
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Ronna: how do you use the glue for aligning the seams? Can you share this? thanks...went to your blog...looks great. Thanks Connie in California
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A couple yrs ago, I started taking a very few stitches where the blocks meet.I like knowing a row will be even.Works for me....BTW, doesn't take any longer than ripping out stitches.
Originally Posted by quiltnchik
I've gotten so much praise regarding the pictures I posted of my quilts and what "great work" I do, so I figured I'd share my "secret." I can't take credit for this tip, but can't remember where I read it since it's been several years ago. However, I like to pass this on in the hopes of helping others who face the dilemma of having a difficult time getting seams to align. This may sound like it takes more time (an excuse I've heard repeatedly), but it's more efficient than having to rip out an entire row of stitching to fix seams that don't match...
When I have seams to align (in blocks and/or rows), I first pin them, and then I put about 5 stitches at each intersection (if your machine has a thread cutter, it makes it even faster to move from seam to seam). I then open up my block/row and check to make sure the seams are perfectly aligned. If they aren't, I only have the 5 stitches to remove (instead of an entire row of stitching), realign, pin, stitch again and recheck. If they are all aligned, I know I can sew the entire block/row and my seams will be perfectly matched. I also discovered that the quilt police will NOT show up at your door if you have to "flip seams" to get them to butt up to one another. I had two mysteries started last year that I put off finishing forever; the blocks were done, but my seams were all running in the same direction, which meant I couldn't butt them against one another to get them aligned. They intimidated me, so I set them aside for months! Once I got frustrated enough and started flipping seams, my tops went together quickly and much more easily. In this case, your iron and steam ARE your friends, and your tops WILL lie flat! ;) I hope this makes sense, but feel free to ask questions if you don't understand. Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question :D |
Thanks for the tip! I've never heard of that before and I'll use it! I've got a block/row piecing project right now...so perfect timing to use this tip!
Blessings, MaryAnna |
great tip. I usually pin but sometimes they seem to move all by themselves and the seams don't match. I will try this next time.
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A teacher in a paper piecing class gave us the same tip of checking alignment with 4-5 stitches, but had us use a basting stitch on our machines. Then it's really easy to rip out if not what you want. You just have to remember to go back to your regular length stitch before sewing your seam.
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I'm not sure, either, what "flipping seams" is. I made a Bargello wall hanging and ironed the first row (and all odd rows) so the 1/4 in. seam material went up, and the even rows down so the seams matched up better. If that what you mean? Thanks. (By "rows" I mean columns, really.)
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great tip, thanks
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I love it. Reminds me of one of those mom sayings, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
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Originally Posted by quiltnchik
I've gotten so much praise regarding the pictures I posted of my quilts and what "great work" I do, so I figured I'd share my "secret." I can't take credit for this tip, but can't remember where I read it since it's been several years ago. However, I like to pass this on in the hopes of helping others who face the dilemma of having a difficult time getting seams to align. This may sound like it takes more time (an excuse I've heard repeatedly), but it's more efficient than having to rip out an entire row of stitching to fix seams that don't match...
When I have seams to align (in blocks and/or rows), I first pin them, and then I put about 5 stitches at each intersection (if your machine has a thread cutter, it makes it even faster to move from seam to seam). I then open up my block/row and check to make sure the seams are perfectly aligned. If they aren't, I only have the 5 stitches to remove (instead of an entire row of stitching), realign, pin, stitch again and recheck. If they are all aligned, I know I can sew the entire block/row and my seams will be perfectly matched. I also discovered that the quilt police will NOT show up at your door if you have to "flip seams" to get them to butt up to one another. I had two mysteries started last year that I put off finishing forever; the blocks were done, but my seams were all running in the same direction, which meant I couldn't butt them against one another to get them aligned. They intimidated me, so I set them aside for months! Once I got frustrated enough and started flipping seams, my tops went together quickly and much more easily. In this case, your iron and steam ARE your friends, and your tops WILL lie flat! ;) I hope this makes sense, but feel free to ask questions if you don't understand. Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question :D |
Thank you, I have trouble with following row, I can get the first seam aligned, but then that next one is off, slips or whatever, but as careful as I can get, there are a few that are just a weeee bit off. No police here thank goodness.
Rita |
What an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing.
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Originally Posted by BellaBoo
I sew at seams too but I set the machine to baste to make it much easier to remove the stitching. One tip I learned was to always fan intersecting seams. That really makes a difference. Using a tailor's clapper will make any seam perfectly flat. My clapper is as important as my iron.
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Looks like some of us have questions..........
Fan intersecting seams??? Flip seams???? Clapper????? Having a duh moment here (again) Thanks! |
me too!
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VERY GOOD IDEA. I SOMETIMES USE GLUE BUT LIKE YOUR IDEA BETTER
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I remember being so thrilled to be given "permission" to pin seams, and now I have "permission" to flip seams! Wow! I love this place! Of course I found myself flipping seams when necessary, but always felt guilty about it!
Thanks for the tips! |
I was taught this tip from a seasoned quilter and it works very well. It saves on time and ripping if the seams are not aligned properly. Thanks for posting this!
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i also do this as the seams are line up, i also dont iron my blocks until they are done. then press. i known they frown on this but who cares as long as my blocks look nice ShySally
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I'll be trying this one :-D
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This is a great tip. I will be using it. It is much faster than having to rip.
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Great idea thank you.
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Thank for the great idea.
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Great tip! You rock!
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Thanks for sharing your tips. These will be helpful in trying to match my seams and points.
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great tip, thanks for sharing
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Hadn't heard of this until my quilt class last evening. What a wonderful idea!
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what do you mean by flipping the seams??
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That is the way I do it but I make the stitch a bit longer so that if it is not precise It is easy to pull out without streaching the fabric.
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i get them lined up - pin on both sides of seam and they still slip - lots of ripping out
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Great tip. I have also learned that seams "go where they want to go, and that's OK." Works for me.
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Originally Posted by lindasidlow
I love the clapper too!
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I'm am so very happy you posted these tips. These things have kept me from doing some of the many blocks that I want to do but put off until I could be a better quilter. If I could give you a big hug right now I would. Thanks so much!
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Originally Posted by quiltnchik
I've gotten so much praise regarding the pictures I posted of my quilts and what "great work" I do, so I figured I'd share my "secret." I can't take credit for this tip, but can't remember where I read it since it's been several years ago. However, I like to pass this on in the hopes of helping others who face the dilemma of having a difficult time getting seams to align. This may sound like it takes more time (an excuse I've heard repeatedly), but it's more efficient than having to rip out an entire row of stitching to fix seams that don't match...
When I have seams to align (in blocks and/or rows), I first pin them, and then I put about 5 stitches at each intersection (if your machine has a thread cutter, it makes it even faster to move from seam to seam). I then open up my block/row and check to make sure the seams are perfectly aligned. If they aren't, I only have the 5 stitches to remove (instead of an entire row of stitching), realign, pin, stitch again and recheck. If they are all aligned, I know I can sew the entire block/row and my seams will be perfectly matched. I also discovered that the quilt police will NOT show up at your door if you have to "flip seams" to get them to butt up to one another. I had two mysteries started last year that I put off finishing forever; the blocks were done, but my seams were all running in the same direction, which meant I couldn't butt them against one another to get them aligned. They intimidated me, so I set them aside for months! Once I got frustrated enough and started flipping seams, my tops went together quickly and much more easily. In this case, your iron and steam ARE your friends, and your tops WILL lie flat! ;) I hope this makes sense, but feel free to ask questions if you don't understand. Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question :D |
awesome tip thanks
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What a super idea will be using this one. Thanks
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Thanks for the tip; I know it will help me this Winter on my big projects.
Mariah |
i should've had this tip earlier in the week as my corners do not match when i sewed the long rows together. i did do something similar, but they still didn't match up . i just left them. It's definately a galloping horse quilt! ha ha
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neat idea for the blocks. I just put together a few blocks for class tomorrow and found that if I pinned the seams together first then stitched them in that area they went together good too. Thabk you though as this is one I will try as my blocks have been more off than on. The seam ripper has become a good friend and that is not what I wanted in quilting.
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Thanks for the tips. I don't have a clapper, I use a pair of pliers on the bulky seams and "squash" them flat. Learned from my Mom when we were doing alterations and hemmed Jeans.
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