Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Taking In a Seam...Details >
  • Taking In a Seam...Details

  • Taking In a Seam...Details

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 09-06-2020, 08:11 AM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
    Posts: 5,007
    Default Taking In a Seam...Details

    When you take in a seam on a block, do you take out the old stitching? Do you re-trim that seam allowance? Do you make other adjustments so that the points look correct? What other factors do you consider when taking in a seam?
    tropit is offline  
    Old 09-06-2020, 08:40 AM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Southern USA
    Posts: 16,383
    Default

    If the seam is sewn to be wider then the first stitching then I don't take it out. Sometimes I will take a narrower seam to get a block to line up or not to lose a point. When I take a narrow seam I alway use fusible on the back of the seam allowance to be sure the seam does not pull apart. There are lots of fudge tips and tricks to use. Most I have picked up in classes over the years.
    Onebyone is offline  
    Old 09-06-2020, 08:41 AM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Nov 2009
    Location: Mableton, GA
    Posts: 11,313
    Default

    I take it out because I press my seams open
    Stitchnripper is offline  
    Old 09-06-2020, 09:06 AM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: The Deep South near Cajun Country, USA
    Posts: 5,432
    Default

    If the old seam is in the new seam allowance and I don't lose points or such, it stays in. Unless, it is a seam where a bunch are meeting and the bulk is too much. It's pretty much a personal choice. Now, if I have fabric that is tending to fray too much, I have been known to sew a wavy seam within the seam allowance to try to stabilize the fabric. And it works for me.
    Barb in Louisiana is offline  
    Old 09-06-2020, 09:11 AM
      #5  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 41,535
    Default

    After putting in the new seam, I check to see if it is better and then I remove the old stitching.
    Tartan is offline  
    Old 09-06-2020, 09:43 AM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2017
    Location: Sunny Florida
    Posts: 4,431
    Default

    I do leave the extra inside seam and trim back to the 1/4 inch seam. It's best to take out bulk if you can. Then sometimes, it's best to re-make the whole block. Yes, I've done that too.
    Rhonda K is offline  
    Old 09-06-2020, 11:05 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    juliasb's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: Waterford Michigan
    Posts: 7,241
    Default

    most often I take it out.by insuring both sides meet up at 1/4" I can insure a perfect seam. I am the first one to admit that my seams are often off . My problem is making them to narrow so w hen they are narrow I will leave the thread in place and sew over to make the seams the right side. Either way getting that perfect 1/4" is the challenge. My seam ripper is always at my side.
    juliasb is offline  
    Old 09-06-2020, 01:24 PM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Dec 2017
    Posts: 1,866
    Default

    When making a Lone Star quilt, I had take in a few short sections of seams to get intersections to match exactly. Typically, the new seam would be only about 1 mm over from the original. I tied off the ends of the new seam and left the old seam alone. (I tapered both ends of the new seam into the old seam.) I ironed my seams open, and I was still happy with how flat it was. (I suppose that if I looked at just right spots there are very small areas with more than 2 layers of fabric, but when it's only 1 mm wide, it is hard to notice.)
    platyhiker is offline  
    Old 09-06-2020, 02:32 PM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    GingerK's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 3,584
    Default

    I will take out a portion of the old stitching at the intersection if I am 'swirling' the intersecting seams. I usually leave the rest.
    GingerK is offline  
    Old 09-06-2020, 05:56 PM
      #10  
    Power Poster
     
    Jingle's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: Outside St. Louis
    Posts: 38,224
    Default

    I haven't had that problem yet. If I did I would probably take the seam out and start over.
    Jingle is offline  

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter