How to Piece Better

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10-02-2014, 05:20 PM

#41

madamekelly

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Posts: 7,695

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kay4

I have read each of your responses very carefully so I can catch what I am doing incorrectly to cause my piecing to be a bit wonky and not fit as I would like it to. I think I need to be much more careful with that 1/4 inch seam, although I thought I was, use the same foot and ruler throughout. I find the Bernina 1/4 inch foot doesn't give me the best 1/4 seam--any body else find that true? I will try the blue painter's tape--have a long seam guide, but find that there's just a little bow in my machine insert and the fabric goes under it just a bit--not accurate.

So I will continue to try to get that perfect seam--it should not be hard, but I find that it is. Thank you All so much for your kind comments and help!

I drew my seam line for several quilts until the size became a habit.

Last edited by QuiltnNan; 07-23-2018 at 03:39 AM.

10-02-2014, 06:22 PM

#42

imsewnso

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2013

Location: BC Canada

Posts: 400

I had the same problem and finally solved it this way. I first got some wide painters tape....mine happens to be green. I drew 3 lines on this with a fine pen. One line is in the center and on each side of that line I drew another that is 1/4" away. I now use my open toe foot so I can see my fabric. I don't watch the needle it will go up and down. I line my fabric up with the 1/4" mark on the tape. I do Not use pins....I find they distort the fabric. I keep my eye on the 1/4" mark that is to the right of the needle and the 1/4" line that my fabric lines up to. This has worked for me the best. I also purchased a template from here....http://www.newleafstitches.com/ this is great for angles. I find the template was great, but did not like to have to remove it to change the bobbin. With the tape I sliced it on each side of the bobbin cover to make it easier to change the bobbin. Hope this helps.

Last edited by QuiltnNan; 07-23-2018 at 03:41 AM. Reason: shouting

10-02-2014, 08:09 PM

#43

bearisgray

Power Poster

Join Date: May 2008

Location: MN

Posts: 24,400

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharonTheriault

I have found that spray starch shrinks my fabric and not evenly. I guess I will need to try the liquid starch Before I cut and see if that helps. I know starching sure makes a cleaner cut. I'm just going to have to kick my cutting up a notch.

Moisture and heat tend to cause shrinkage in some cottons. (Another reason why I think washing fabric before cutting it is helpful.)

Last edited by QuiltnNan; 07-23-2018 at 03:41 AM.

07-23-2018, 03:31 AM

#44

Kay4

Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Jun 2014

Posts: 26

Thanks, Silver Needle. I do have her book and it has helped a great deal but I didn't know there was a video. Will check that out.

07-23-2018, 05:18 AM

#45

JustAbitCrazy

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2012

Posts: 4,783

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Needle

I got a video called Sally Collins teaches you precision piecing and follow all her tips. It improved my piecing a lot.

Exactly my thoughts. Get her book on precision machine piecing. Take her workshop if you can. Helped me immensely, and I've said it a thousand times: Her workshop was hands-down the best quilting class I have ever taken.

07-23-2018, 05:58 AM

#46

bkay

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2016

Posts: 2,823

One of the best investments of time I've made is the Donna Poster video on piecing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--vIltDWpl0

bkay

07-23-2018, 06:24 AM

#47

pchp

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Colorado

Posts: 657

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltybarb

I know what you're saying....I feel the same way, which is why I haven't posted any pictures yet....I will in the future, but so many people have put beautiful quilts on here that I'm afraid mine aren't that great...

Quiltybarb, don't be afraid to post yours! I went into a slump for several years because of a problem I had with one of my quilts. I decided to just learn from the experience and started something new. After I had that new top finished, I was able to go back to the problem quilt and figure out what I could do to complete it (a gift planned for a good friend). I'll also say that fellow quilters in the small groups I joined were also very supportive. Remember that there's a range of quilting, and only some of us are aiming for quilt show quality. A quilt doesn't need to near perfection to be appreciated.

07-23-2018, 07:11 AM

#48

Jane Quilter

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2016

Location: Blue Ridge Mountians

Posts: 7,076

The quarter inch foot with a flange always hooks on my pins and twists my fabric so I don't use it. I cant see the edge of my foot and the edge of my fabric at the same time so I only use my skinny straight foot with a single hole throat plate. I starch my fabric before cutting and use my accuquilt cutting machine where possible if i want a perfect block. For those bias HST, I always cut larger and trim to size when done after pressing. For perfect points, I use a drop of elmer's school glue. If I am making a miniature quilt where the pieces are like 1/2" squares, I measure the fabric and mark the sewing lines and ignore the seam allowances altogether.