I'm making an eight pointed star block with squares on the corners and triangles in the middle. How do you all do the y seams, I'm really getting frustrated. The template (diamond shape) has got the marks for the quarter inch but the squares are just 3 1/2" and the triangles the same with no template. Where and how do you line them up and turn the corners so there are no puckers. I'm almost ready to put this away but I hate to give up, I'd really like to do it well........Any ideas out there would be so appreciated. Not sure if I explained it very well. Thanks in advance for the help!!!

I saw a wonderful YouTube demonstration on Y-seams. Otherwise it is really hard to explain.

For Y seams, you need to stop sewing your seam 1/4" before the edge of your material. Be really careful not to stretch out your bias edges when you are manipulating your quilt around to put on each diamond. I know there is an 8-point star done with strip piecing then cutting on an angle - check this out: http://www.quiltedparadise.com/n/magazine-59.jsp

Just found this too: http://tutorials.missouriquiltco.com/list/

This tutorial will work for hexagons or diamonds, the theory is the same, stopping/starting 1/4" from the end of each seam line. You can try clipping the diamonds like Patrice did the hex's to see if that helps them lay flatter :D:D:D

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-3419-1.htm

Here is a tutorial showing how to set in a square using Y seams

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-34066-1.htm

mark your 1/4" seams with a fine pencil start and stop right on the line where they meet. it is easiest to start at the center matching point and stitch out toward the points of your pieces.

You can also do it by cutting the squares into triangles and the side triangles into smaller triangles. You eliminate the Y seams completely. I can whip up a PDF of the templates for doing it this way if you like. Just let me know which 8 pointed star you are making.

Lynda

If I ever do y seams again, I will use this method.

Kaye Wood is amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLkHfcuNzCA

All I can say is I have only hand pieced y-seams. You have so much control that way.

Wow Thanks for that.
Rita

Im working on a medallion starburst and putting it together is driving me crazy. I can not do the y seams-it puckers at the square. I have already got so frustrated I have put it up. I have cried.lol I'm half blind anyway and the brighter the lights my transition gets darker on my glasses. Trying to pick out black thread on black is driving me crazy-I am about to put the quilt pieces in a box and take it to the dump.LOL I need help bad. Thanks