Basic 4 patch, most basic of questions
10-13-2015, 04:01 PM
#1
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 174
Basic 4 patch, most basic of questions
Trying to learn to nest seams together. The first 4 patch turned out perfectly with the little square in the center lying flat. All the rest do not have the square. Don't know if I am even wording right, can anyone help? Thanks!
10-13-2015, 04:40 PM
#4
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Location: Beautiful Wyoming
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10-13-2015, 04:45 PM
#5
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Location: Snowy Minnesota
Posts: 1,378
Harriet Hargrave, author of the Quilter's Academy series of books, calls it "fanning the seams," and she describes the process this way:
1. With the four-patch wrong side up, position it so that the seam you just stitched is parallel to you (running left to right). You will notice that the top left square has no seam allowance pressed onto it; neither does the lower right square. We are going to push the horizontal seam toward these 2 squares, splitting the stitches in the center.
2. Twist your thumbs slightly while you do this, and the stitches in the seam will release, allowing the seam allowances to lie in 2 different directions. You should get a tiny four-patch in the very center where all the seams meet.
While I can't say what's causing your problem, I hope Harriet's instructions will help you!
1. With the four-patch wrong side up, position it so that the seam you just stitched is parallel to you (running left to right). You will notice that the top left square has no seam allowance pressed onto it; neither does the lower right square. We are going to push the horizontal seam toward these 2 squares, splitting the stitches in the center.
2. Twist your thumbs slightly while you do this, and the stitches in the seam will release, allowing the seam allowances to lie in 2 different directions. You should get a tiny four-patch in the very center where all the seams meet.
While I can't say what's causing your problem, I hope Harriet's instructions will help you!
10-13-2015, 05:24 PM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,845
Also, if you want the seams to all swirl in the same direction, be sure to start with the same color at the top of the seam. Example: For a blue and white 4-patch, piece your first two squares and press. Then when sewing these u it's together, always start the seam with the blue at the top. Hope that makes sense.
10-14-2015, 06:47 AM
#7
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,131
I just made 10 four patches from scraps. I prefer to oversize them. After I sew them, I starch and press them. Before you trim them down, you can check see if your seams are straight. You will see the tiny pinwheel in the center of the back of the block and how I pressed the seams.
10-15-2015, 08:34 AM
#8
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 174
Hi ladies, sorry so late to respond but I have been viewing replies from my phone and can't figure out how to post from it. Your descriptions and photos really did help a lot. Still not batting 100% but getting a good outcome more often, thank you!
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