Trouble with matching seams when pressed open.
 

I usually nest my seams when matching them and sewing them together. This has worked very well for me. However, the matching of seams is more difficult when I press seams open and stitch them together. Anyone have a trick or two when matching the seams that have been pressed open? I don't know why this is a problem for me. I have had years of experience and still struggle with it.

I stopped pressing my seams open for that reason. I stick a straight pin through the seam of the first piece then line the pieces up and stick it through the second seam where they meet. I pinch the pieces together where they meet then pin it on both sides of the original pin. I hope this makes sense, it has worked for me.

Use a glue stick. Just a dab to put them together. I then use the Clover clips to hold them together until I can sew it.
Once the glue is dry it will hold together, so you don't have to leave the clips on, I just do.

That was what I was going to suggest, except glue stick isn't my favorite, I like to use Aleene's no sew glue, just a little dab (I use a toothpick to put it on with) pinch the seams together and sew. There is no waiting for it to dry.

I do what GrammaNan does.

Ahhh ... found a tutorial with pictures.
http://craftnectar.com/2012/02/22/1-...ligning-seams/

I also have trouble getting seams to match when I press the seams open.

I also do like GrammaNan when I do press the seams open.

I press my seams open all the time and do it this way as well. Find that my blocks lay much flatter and I have better luck with things lining up with this method vs the nesting method when pressed to the side.

I use both methods, press to the side or press open. Depends on the project and how many seams are coming together. There is no right or wrong way. When pressing open and trying to line up seams I either use a double pin or I pin on the down side of the seam. I match up with a pin in the seams themselves then use another pin to pin together on the side that will be sewn last as you run your stitching line across the intersection. Clear as mud?

I only press open my seams when it is necessary to spread the bulk. I prefer nesting my seams because I believe that these seams are preferred for the endurance of the quilt to survive longer especially with frequent washing. Call me old school but then why are older quilt done with the press to the side.

Pressing to the side was because so many quilts were hand stitched and not as sturdy as machine stitching. I agree with the press open on quilts that will get a lot of use. I also agree that it depends on the bulk of the seam being stitched as I mentioned above. I do wall hangings mostly pressed open unless I'm planning on stitching in the ditch, than that is not feasible as the stitch in the ditch has no where to "hang" for lack of a better word. :)

I find that the Clover Fork pins keep everything lined up- even when you press open. I don't know why it works so much better than using two pins- but it does.

LOL! Just reread my post. I meant to say that quilts that get alot of use should have the seams pressed to one side. Ofdah, it is monday!

When I need to match seams I get my trusty Elmer's Glue out and put a dab on the 1/4" edge so not to gum up my needle, either hold the pieces together between my fingers or if my iron is hot, I hit it with the iron for a second or two. I hate using pins anyway so this has been a life saver for me. It seems to work 98% of the time for me.

Thank you everyone. This has given me food for thought. I don't like using pins, it works better for me without them. Go figure that one. I've webbed my seams many times and that works well for me too. So it looks like I'll give the glue a try. Again thank you for responding.

I press my seams open 98% of the time. I match them with a Clover Wonder Clip. I don't use pins unless I have too. Before the clips I used a dot of glue. I always back stitch at the start and end of a seam so the end of the seam won't open.

I have been using DogHouseMom's suggestion for more years than I'd like to confess. I started before I even thought about making quilts. I was solely a garment sewer but one who wasn't going to put the time, effort and money into a garment if I didn't do my best effort for a French designer salon look. I was working in an industry which demanded that sort of look plus the rest of the getup. Not much fun when one is a jeans and sneakers sort of girl but well paid.

Then I retired and a dear friend infected me. Quilts rule the roost around here.

Anyway, DogHouseMom's suggestion gets the job done and becomes habit over time. As to the sewing over pins problem, I sew up to a pin and then walk the needle over it by hand. S-L-O-W-L-Y! That way of handling a pin gets to be habit too. I think a good one.

Remember the old tv ad, "Try it. You'll like it"? Guess what. You will.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Pat

I use elmers school glue and clover clips to keep my seams matching. Once the glue is set (with a hot iron) they will not shift when sewing. Works perfectly.

If you pin, use one pin put in at an angle. Using the multi pin method will distort the alignment no matter how perfect the pins are in place. I learned this and saw it proven in a very expensive class.

When I press my seams open, I match up the little nib of thread that sticks out over the end. Works well for me. I don't usually press seams open, but I am making a Baby quilt that has about 600 little squares in it. I have only had to unsew one little spot, so it is working for me.

I peek between the seams as I'm matching them, then hold it with my fingernail while pinning the side of the seam that will go under the machine first.