SharonC

Everyone pretty much answered your distortion question. I just wanted to say....I love your tray quilt. I think I'd be thirsty everytime I looked at it :) :)
Looks good to me.

Tracy_Lit5

I knew about pressing instead of ironing, and know NOT to use steam.
I actually have a small travel iron that I keep next to my sewing machine. And that definitely does NOT have steam.

I guess it must be either my measurements and/or seams.
Just HOW to you get a seam to ALWAYS be 1/4"?
I have my machine set to 5.0 for the needle offset. Then run the side of my foot along the cut edge.

Or is this just one of those "ya gotta get used to it", or "you'll learn in time with experience" . :roll:

MadQuilter

SOmetimes I measure and square the components when I notice that things get wonky. I agree with the others, you may have skewed things during the pressing of individual components. It is pretty and you can be proud of yourself.

...you'll probably be amazed when you start the next project how much you have already learned.

ckcowl

there is this little (test) to see if you are sewing perfect 1/4" seams...you cut 3 strips of fabric 1 1/2" x 6" , sew them together using your 1/4" seam then measure. it should measure exactly 3 1/2 " wide. if it doesn't you need to adjust...
one way to find your 1/4" is take a small (ruler) with 1/4" markings, place it against the needle, lower the feeddogs on the ruler, then put a small mark on the machine exactly where the 1/4" mark is on the ruler. you can purchase (seam-guides) which have a sticky side, or some people just use masking tape, running a piece at the 1/4" mark across the machine to use as a guide to follow as you stitch.
hope this helps, every machine is different and every one sews a little different, so finding YOUR 1/4" is a personal thing but necessary.
you can purchase a special 1/4" foot too.
hope this helps
ckcowl

Quilt4u

GReat job.

momto4

The thing that I saw on youtube was using notecards that are lined to check whether your allowance was on. Im not sure where it is anymore but im sure you could find it if you looked it up :) Just a thought.

momto4

but personally (im new) I dont see distortion. It looks wonderful to me!

sewjoyce

Very nice!!! :D

Mamagus

When we decorated the stage at school for concerts, one of us would always say at the end, "Looks great from the parking lot". I stand back from my sewing projects a lot these days!

Tracy_Lit5

I did what you suggested about the 1-1/2" x 6, & the needle and a ruler with using tape. I got it figured out now.
Also, I found that if I didn't press the seam completely open (that there was even a hint of fold at the seam), that I didn't end up with the 3-1/2" width of those 3 pieces.

So...I guess, with the guide set on the machine, it's a matter of ensuring that my measurement cuts are exact AND that I press the seam completely open (without a hint of a fold in it)

Thanks so much :thumbup: !!!!
Tracy