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

What a great idea. Thank you!

:thumbup:

As someone who has done her fair share of seam ripping, thank you so much for sharing this tip :-)

fabulous! next big quilt, I will erase this tip off my forehead ;-)

Thank you for the great tips. I will use them.

Great tip. I also pin, use walking foot, etc, but sometimes the fabric just refuses to cooperate.

Great idea...I use glue in the same way.

I heard a tip like this from one of the Kay Wood videos when she was talking about matching points on Flying Geese.

Well that's a new one for me, but I REALLY like it... especially for long runs! Good one!

Great idea and worth the extra time! I'm starting two very heavily pieced quilts for my GDs and will use this! Guess if you use a little longer stitch for that it will come out easily if needed.

When you say to flip seams do you mean in the middle of it? Say if the first end is correct you just flip the seam in the middle so the other end butts too? I've done it and feel OK about it, not thrilled, but OK.

What a great tip! It is very frustrating and discouraging when seams don't match up. I'll keep this tip in my Tip Book. Thanks.

love the tip.

Hi what a great idea.... I just blame the machine when my seams don't match!!!!! :O) I have a walking foot, but don't know how to really put it to good use... Must try it again... ciao

Thanks for the tip!

After doing what felt like ten thousand half square triangles in my avatar quilt, I too have since started lining up intersections and only stitching afew stitches to make sure its aligned. Every so often I get bold and think: okay the last 40 were perfect, I stitch the whole block, and lo and behold, I tearout the entire seam, so now every seam that requires it, gets the 4-5 stitch alignment check.

Great tip!!

when my seams "flip" I just clip them alittle so they iron beautifully, hint from quilt teacher LOL

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.

What does a clapper look like?

I don't set my machine to a longer stitch, but have never had any problems removing the 4-5 stitches when needed. Knowing my luck, I'd set it to a longer stitch and forget to set it back when I sewed the entire seam! :lol:

That would be what I would do at least once! I love this tip and I'm going to give it a try. Thanks.

Thank you for the great tips :D:D:D

This is a great tip!

thank you for the info

Thanks that is a great tip. I am just starting a quilt so I will be trying this tip for sure :thumbup:

I have found making accurate 1/4" seams help alot too and I put a pin in front of the intersecting seams, flip open to make sure they match and sew away.

GREAT idea...I'll try it on my next one.

thank you for great tip

My seams are accurate - never lose a point (knock on wood) - but this tip ensures my seams align. I hate seams that don't align; just one of my pet peeves ;)

wonderful tip!! One that i will be using!!

thank you for the tip i know i still have problems aligning the seams maybe i can do this LOL
HUGS Dora

It's one of my pet peeves too - I'm my most critical quilt police when it comes to matching up seams and points in my quilts. One of my friends thins that I am obssesive with it but I like to think that I am just a meticulous sewer :)

Great Tip Thanks !!

Can anyone post a picture on this.
thank you

I'd like to see a picture also. Curious to see if it's the same issue I've dealt with. When one seam butts together and the other end doesn't I flip it so it butts, then take scissors and clip the middle so both ends lay flat. Is this what you're talking about? If you've seen Eleanor Burns do her method of making flying geese she clips in the center so one side lays one way and the other side lays the other way. That way both ends butt together nicely.

quiltinchick I do that too. It's a trick left over from the clothes sewing days.

I match seams the same -kinda- i baste those intersections. This is particularly useful in paper piecing

I love the clapper too!

Such a great encouragement. I need the advice and will use it.

great! for a newbe & beginner! now IF I can get those seams aligned properly. I must try this! thanks for the tip!