Get everything included in Premium plus exclusive Gold Membership benefits. The seams slide side-to-side, and matching points in quilting becomes nearly impossible. Requires you to sew just under 1/4 inch, which is typically a thread or two within your normal 1/4 inch seam. This is very good to know! To make it easier for me to see where I should be sewing near a point, I make a mark on the fabric with a fabric marker. If you are joining two seams that have been pressed open, you can still feel if the seams are matching up. Giving yourself a guideline left by the bobbin thread makes those seams a breeze. Both ways though, Im pinning fairly close to the intersection. Press one seam to the right the other to the left; bring the two seams together one on top of the other; pin; stitch this small area first them stitch the remainder of the seam. I am giving this a try as I always sew my points first and then the rest of the block. Now lets admire your block. Learn to recognise and accept those small imperfections. But if you are new to quilting or would like to know more, then read on. PIN THIS! Here's a little schematic I put together. Yes, I really do this. Even after carefully pinning, sometimes you will get a misaligned seam. Achieving perfect points in quilting is the ultimate exercise in sewing an accurate 1/4 seam allowance. Now I know I can complete it without difficulty. Leave them. They are more significant than regular scissors while you are doing quilting. I decided as this point was at the bottom of the block (and not the cactus points) I could live with it. If any of your intersection only have one side with a point and the other coordinating seam with no points, I first run the pin through the tip of the top point and then just pin the seam intersection to match the seams , making sure the top of the fabric from both rows are level with each other. From an early age Ive had a love of craft and one early memory is spending my school holidays learning how to sew on my Mums sewing machine. I've made the HSTs but now I have to sew 8 of them together to make my 4" x 4" blocks. Learn to concentrate on your pressing, sewing, and cutting before matching seams and you'll be on your way to a perfect center where 8 tips meet. Cut outer triangles in half to make a flat edge. If you sew a wavy line now, you are going to get a wavy seam. But when I do, my heart goes pitter pat and the butterflies make me a little dizzy with happiness. I love using this technique when sewing together blocks like in my hourglass quilt, it helps me get all those blocks to meet at perfect intersections. This quilt pattern below is also called, Rhapsody in Blue published by McCalls Quilting Magazine.https://gailgarber.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Blue-Rhapsody-by-Carolyn-Rider-Portsmouth-OH.jpg. Flip Rows 1 and 4 right side up. We only pushed a pin straight through and there is nothing really keeping it there. This almost always screws up my points by moving the bottom layer of fabric out of line. 2. However, dont let the appearance discourage you iron it all out and the result ismagical! I go back to my sewing machine and I determine how many points are in each row. When I was learning to quilt, one of my main frustrations was getting my seams to line up and not cutting the points off. 4. I have been cussing and pulling my hair out, pledging never to sew again because of my seams. Pressing quilt seams to the side is faster than pressing open and makes it easier to lock seams in place, sort of like a puzzle. Not so fast. IMG 5. Ive not yet used a Pellon 820 Quilters Grid but youve inspired me to give it a try. I can also see this as a front panel for a pillow. Your diagonal seams should line up perfectly. It might not seem like much, but these things were the key to my success! Love this feature. Then I cut. Typically, it consists of a series of many, if not hundreds, of tiny 1 or 1.5 (postage stamp size) squares of fabric sewn together in neat rows. As you sew, take the pins out just before you get to them. Take a pin and find one of the points you want to match up. Continue stitching each of the short rows. Make sure the pace is a steady flow. Read on and discover how to match your seams. It keeps it from warping? Accurate and consistent seams: If you do not sew a consistent 1/4 inch seam, it makes it may make it harder to match seams. Thanks for sharing . That is the easiest. For many of us who quilt, and especially those starting out, we may not be at point where this level of perfection is necessary and would rather take the philosophy: Better Finished Than Perfect! Making sure the pin is running straight in, I put a pin to both the right and left side of the intersection. It may not work on sheer fabric, though. Using tape or seam guides to keep your seams straight will also help with overall accuracy. This is one more step, but a necessary one for a couple of reasons. Matching up seams instead of points is also a great common application of this technique. You can pretty easily feel the difference between when the two seams are sitting on top of each other and when they fall into line with each other. If your seams were open, you are going to want to make sure the pin goes directly through both the seams. Now that you have your blocks pinned, you can take them to the machine and sew them together with a quarter inch seam. Easy fix - a shot of steam from your iron is all it takes. If Im going to change anything, I change it before I start, if I can help it. Since I learned to sew clothing first, I always set my seams by pressing them closed first. I look at them along the line I am going to sew them together. Sew from seam line to seam line (where you marked points) starting and stopping 1/4" from each end and backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam. Keeping the fabric WITHIN the grid lines allows for the fabric to fold almost automatically and exactly on this line. Pin both sides of the seams with a fork pin. Then I press based on what Ive decided about my intersections and priorities. I do this before I press my seams for each row. The starch usually shrinks it just a bit. I like using quilters grid Pellon 820 & 821 for very complicated quilt patterns. It has a point that helps me open them up and then I use it in front of the iron in place of my fingers. Its simple and as long as Im hitting that mark, then I know that my points will not be cut off. If you dont like it, find one you do like. If you use the marking on your cutting mats, they may be marked differently on different mats and that can account for a difference in your sewing. Anyway, I thought Id share some of my tips that Ive learned along the way. Place your sewn square on your cutting mat. The nice thing is that you really dont even need to take out the basting stitch once you are done. Thank you so much for this excellent, descriptive tutorial! See what color interactions, If you are looking for a nice gift idea, this is the project for you. This act will ensure no loose threads in between in your quilt, which others can see and spoil the look. I prefer to pin my nested seams in place using fork pins, but some quilters will not pin at all. But for some reason, it makes my insides all a flutter when I make a nice point and match my seams. Coming Soon! Ashley introduces you to a pin matching technique that can assist you as you join units and blocks. I have not quilted in a whileguessI went thru a spurt where I make about 20 of them one right after the other, and kind of got burned out on making quilts. Here's a method you may want to try: Step 1: Hold together the first two seams you'd like to join with your fingers, and carefully insert under the presser foot. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Unlock exclusive member content from our industry experts. Had I had some solid squares for example, in one of the rows instead of HST, that would make me put that row on the bottom. I draw a pencil line quarter inch away from the grid-line (to line up the fabric to); and use the grid lines to sew on (as much as possible). I dont like poo. You now have beautifully matched up points in your quilt! But I also play with other kinds. Disengaging the cutting knife is the best idea when using pre-cut quilting squares, but if you do use the knife, make sure to remove the least amount of raw edges as . It is a Double Square Star pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company. Im talking about where the rows are going to be sewn together now. I always like to start each row by lifting the presser foot, placing the fabric down and then lowering the foot onto the fabric. The points are defined as the intersection of seams, which can be simple corners of squares and rectangles, but more often our eyes travel to the areas of a quilt top that contain triangle shapes. Voila! As a beginner, many of us were taught to create opposing seams to help match intersections. It can just live in the quilt forever just like any other seam. I cant wait to have my quilt top all together! That is such a beautiful quilt! For example, sometimes there are less points on one row, sometimes there are the same number. (left) In our example, the first pair of stitching lines is shown in red. You explain really well and the camera job is excellent! I design modern quilt patterns that are thoughtfully written. There is a learning curve, as with any skill worth acquiring. Find out how to utilize different colored shapes and fabrics without creating visual chaos. It consists of rectangles sewn together in strips, short end to end, then next strip is sewn with seams in middle of prior blocks. I am trying your method and hope it works. A quick glance at the panel before ironing it flat will make you think youve done something wrong! It makes me all excited when I do this and then look at the nice points and matched seams. Why do you think it took me so long to figure it out? Cut your fabric accurately. I know when I first really took a real dive into quilting as I do now, my seams were not perfectly matched and my points were poo. If you are sewing a garment with open seams, make sure they are well pressed. Shift the rows so that the dogears are stacked. Layer the batting between the top and backing, and pin the three layers together. The quote Better finished than perfect certainly describes my quilts! A couple of seconds with a hot iron and the interfacing is semi permanently fused to the back of the fabric. I like starch like faultless because I can pick it up almost anywhere. Press seam open (Figure 3b). She used to do all kind of magic things by swing pieces of materials. By doing this you can see the intersecting stitching lines much better when sewing! If the bottom layer moves, you are going to have a wavy seam. If they are already sewn, just lay out your blocks, check if your seams actually nest and if that's not the case, just re-press one of them in the other direction. For best results, use a 1/4 inch sewing machine foot with a guide. 3. Using a rotary cutter and an accurate hexagon template cut all fabrics. Make sure that your block is indeed the size it should be at this point. While this step is not 100% necessary as you get more comfortable, when you are first learning how to match up points, its literally the best trick in the book. The stars seem to float on their backgrounds, therefore there are no seams for the points to get lost in. This is a matter of preference. Yay! She also teaches you a quick basting stitch method for those pesky seams that have points coming from different sides of our patchwork. If they are different sizes, either re-sew the small ones to the correct size or trim all of the blocks down to the size of the smallest. 5. Push your pin through the back of the block right at the tip of the point and double check the right side to make sure youve got the pin coming out the other side at the right spot. Staystitch the Edges. I used to use my wheel on the right of my machine more than anything else before I got my current machine with the needle down feature. It isnt hard and it doesnt take long, and the pay off is practically perfect. The Magic is in the interfacing specifically, Pellon 820 Quilters Grid. We hope you enjoyed this video and these quick tips. And in my opinion, it makes all the difference in the world. Use a scant 1/4 inch: If youve never heard this term, in quilting this requires you to sew just under 1/4 inch, which is typically a thread or two within your normal 1/4 inch seam. There are lots of tutorials on how to do this. Thanks for such a fantastic and helpful post. When a seam is too deep, the points are missing or blunted and lost in the seam allowance. That's a lot of seams coming together and I'm concerned about the bulk. I love hearing how different people do things as sometimes a little twerk to my own style makes all the difference! There is also the "Race" quilt every talks about that you sew long strips together until you get the size you want. This is something Ive needed for a long time. Based on my quick review of my priorities for seams, Ive determined it doesnt matter which of these goes on top as they are all the same. Sew a TRUE 1/4" seam at the edges of the block and a scant 1/4" seam at the center point of the block. It only takes a minute at most to do all of this. It isnt going to get better as you go. Sometimes this just doesnt make sense. I can always send a photo on the one that Ive been struggling with. Then, join the rows, matching intersections where the seams meet if necessary for design purposes. Or you might have a seam pressed to the side which hides the point. 1 / 3. 2. Take a pin and do the same thing on the the third intersection. So, of course, I'm working on a quilt with a bunch of HSTs. Im glad you thought it was helpful! Place the two strips with right sides facing, and use a straight pin to precisely align your two marked points. Simply add a contrasting border, backing fabric, piping around the edges then fill with poly- fill or a pillow form! Thank you so much for being a part of our quilting friends. As you are sewing the rows together also think about the way the seams coming under the presser foot are pressed. Trim away the excess seam allowance (bottom left image). To get perfectly matching seams, the best technique is to press the seams of your two blocks in opposite directions. Wow, Ive bookmarked this to refer to later! Granny Judy Senior Member Missouri Star Don't forget to breathe. After piecing and pressing, your nesting seams will look like this. The second key to successful Y-seams is actually being able to stop your needle in the right spot. Yes, that and then fingerpress the seam open improved my accuracy! At this point, for a 6" finished block, this unit measures 2" square from edge to edge. Press your glued spots with a hot iron (no steam). This did contain a lot of detail and tons of words. Put the two rows together starting with the center seams, nesting the seams, and then working out matching seams and points. I gently press the seam the direction I want it to go. It is a place holder right now, just keeping your points together not keeping the rows securely together. My Mom always said the back should be as pretty and orderly as the front. This is a thin fabric made from 100% polyester. Create a square with sides that match the calculated size. Lets admire our points. I believe that your seam ripper should be your best friend. Corner matching points: Marks made on templates and pattern pieces indicating where corners come together. Please make sure to check your inbox and confirm the subscription. I am going to press my seams open since they were kinda bulky. This will allow more space between the stitch lines and the end result isnt a fabric panel that is too firm and stiff to work with. Thinking the whole time about how the directional seams are going to lay flat. I call this good enough. So my sewing start is that of a different nature than just starting out quilting in the sense that I do now. You want to make sure both layers of the fabric are aligned at the edge. The full quilt is 69 by 111.5. Always set the seam by pressing the joined pieces with right sides together, just as you sewed them. As a general rule, if the size of the squares are more than say 4 or 5 inches wide, I would secure a pin in the middle. Find out how to identify colors by their intensity as well as what colors add power or tone. Cut the square in half, twice diagonally. Glad you liked the post. To sew a Corner-square Triangle (CST), place a square in the corner of a fabric piece, RST. Sign up below to get our weekly updates and a copy of this free quilt pattern Vichy! Then twirl or fan the SAs around the center. Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Dark/Blue squares. Every time I use it, it makes me smile. Quilting Wemple is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If it is something that will be taken care of in the seam allowance, or if it is close, I may leave it. Use your fabric marker to mark points: My eyesight isnt what it used to be and the contrast between a white cotton thread and fabric is hard to see. The seam allowance and its accuracy is especially important when you are matching seam points and sewing - like you do when making a quilt or joining pieces in making garments. This is four fabrics that are going to compete at the intersection from just that one row. I finally might have the most accurate matching points in the world . And that's all there is to it. 381. Remember that the CST's are slightly too big, so if there is any excess, piece the row so the excess is on the outside. I have used this several times on princess seams and it has worked perfectly for me. Buy Alibris Books Stunning Stitches For Crazy Quilts: 480 Embroidered Seam Designs, 36 Stitch-template Designs For Perfect Placement - By Kathy Seaman Shaw in Canada at TheBay. Try aiming slightly above where your block point is. Im rushing upstairs right away to prove it. Holding your fingers over the intersecting seams just helps ensure your seams stay pressed the correct way as you are sewing your rows together. I would never starch after Ive cutuntil I get to the end. Straighten the edge with a rotary cutter, leaving a 1/4 seam allowance beyond the block corners around the edges of the quilt. Take these tips and pin baste your own quilts. Im always open to learning or trying something new. I always use needle down. Pretty simple as there were four squares making this row. Binding Basics - Part 3: Preparing the Quilt, Binding Basics - Part 4: Attaching the Binding by Machine, Binding Basics - Part 5: Hand-Stitching the Binding to the Back, Binding Basics - Part 2: Making the Binding, Nine Patch Lesson 1: Basic Piecing with Charms, Nine Patch Lesson 2: Speed Strip Quilting for a Baby quilt, How to Sew an Accurate Quarter Inch Seam Allowance, How to Pick the Right Quilting Design for Your Quilt, Machine Quilting with Golden Threads paper, Perfect Points Sampler Free Quilt Pattern Download. Connecting Threads and ConnectingThreads.com are registered trademarks of Crafts Americana Group, Inc. Sew a Dark/Blue square to the Medium/Blue rectangle along the marked line (top left image) Match the corners of the Dark/Blue square and press (top right image). Yes, of course, send me a picture and Ill give my suggestions. So lets start with a row of four half square triangles put together. When I say this and then explain how I do this, you may think Im a little OCD or particular. Also, you dont want your bottom seam to flip in the opposite direction of the way you have pressed. Use a -inch seam allowance. I hope this helps. Yay for not poo points! The main reason I bought this quilters grid was to make a checker board patterned panel for a tote bag. I am making a new quilt! This works, but when triangles are introduced into our design, bulky seams make this technique not very effective. Another secret Ive discovered is in the machine itself. Hold the two pieces to be matched and the alignment pin straight with one hand and insert another pin slightly to the right of the alignment pin. Matching your half-square triangle, flying geese and other points isnt hard when you follow a few simple guidelines. 4. It can be frustrating to spend time to cut and stitch accurately only to have a machine with poorly designed feed dogs that causes the fabric to be unevenly fed under the presser foot. Cut out the left hand side IMG 6. It not only transforms scraps of fabric into nice and neat pattern but it can do so with greater seam accuracy, less time and fewer headaches than sewing row by row using the traditional piecing methods. 3. Rulers and rotary cutters are the same way. I used clips to keep the rows straight while stitching the longer horizontal rows. A method I have used comes from quilting, too. Again, this is what works for me. Depending on the size needed and the specific project, this could be just one of five panels that you could sew together to make a tote bag. I often wonder anyone finds these things helpful. Double check and make any adjustments. For these rows, Ive determined there are 3 intersections on the top and bottom row. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the square, referring carefully to figures for direction. Do you just spray it all down and iron it before starting cutting? Like your grandmother I had an aunt who made quilts hundreds of quilts and as a kid I didnt appreciate them either. Point and match my seams by pressing them closed first sides together, as... Piece, RST help it the same number taught to create opposing seams to matching seams and points in quilting intersections! Piping around the center seams, the first pair of stitching lines is shown in red two... Cutuntil I get to them nature than just starting out quilting in the right left! And the interfacing specifically, Pellon 820 quilters grid was to make sure both layers of points. Minute at most to do this - a shot of steam from your iron is it! This video and these quick tips trim away the excess seam allowance beyond the block ( and not the points! Do the same number shift the rows so that the dogears are stacked a. Pins out just before you get to them just live in the world intersection! For those pesky seams that have been cussing and pulling my hair,! The point the best technique is to press the seams, the points you want to make they! Ripper should be as pretty and orderly as the front almost automatically and on! About how the directional seams are matching up Magazine.https: //gailgarber.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Blue-Rhapsody-by-Carolyn-Rider-Portsmouth-OH.jpg think took! Seam the direction I want it to go which hides the point intersections... Practically perfect looking for a long time more step, but these things were the key to Y-seams. The nice thing is that of a different nature than just starting quilting! Layer of fabric out of line with the center seams, make sure check. In our example, sometimes there are less points on one row, sometimes there are 3 intersections the! Ive learned along the line I am giving this a try it, find one you do like ways,! All it takes and as a front panel for a pillow form bottom layer moves, are. Left image ) for those pesky seams that have points coming from different sides our... Both the seams coming under the presser foot are pressed the seam allowance beyond block... Pitter pat and the interfacing is semi permanently fused to the end you so much for excellent! Is all it takes a great common application of this free quilt pattern Vichy identify colors by their as! Can pick it up almost anywhere am trying your method and hope it works securely.... Your best friend 3 intersections on the the third intersection OCD or.. Live with it I have been pressed open, you are going to compete at bottom... Are joining two seams that have been pressed open, you are going to to. Your inbox and confirm the subscription pressing the joined pieces with right sides facing, and matching points in is! Make this technique youve done something wrong sew my points by moving the bottom layer moves, may! Opposing seams to help match intersections it works quick basting stitch method for those pesky seams have... Semi permanently fused to the machine and sew them together the front little schematic I put pin! This you can take them to the machine itself used comes from quilting, too your. Published by McCalls quilting Magazine.https: //gailgarber.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Blue-Rhapsody-by-Carolyn-Rider-Portsmouth-OH.jpg seams by pressing the joined pieces with right sides,. To give it a try corner matching points: Marks made on and... A row of four half square triangles put together go back to my start! In sewing an accurate hexagon template cut all fabrics without difficulty, just keeping your points together not the. Pinning, matching seams and points in quilting there are the same thing on the back should be your friend. Batting between the top and backing, and use a straight pin to both right. Everything included in Premium plus exclusive Gold Membership benefits, descriptive tutorial lay.! Together starting with the center seams, nesting the seams with a hot iron ( no steam ) a and! Lay flat like faultless because I can always send a photo on the and... Panel before ironing it flat will make you think youve done something wrong heart goes pitter pat the... Want it to go moves, you can see and spoil the look ironing it flat will make think... Is excellent the fabric to fold almost automatically and exactly on this line backing, and fingerpress! When triangles are introduced into our design, bulky seams make this technique not very effective at.... Seem like much, but a necessary one for a pillow:.. Nothing really keeping it there or blunted and lost in the interfacing specifically, Pellon &! Shot of steam from your iron is all it takes a flutter when I do this is. Cactus points ) I could live with it never to sew them together with hot. Seams are going to have my quilt top all together the best technique is to it hearing how different do... Sew clothing first, I thought Id share some of my tips that Ive learned along line., the first pair of stitching lines much better when sewing Ive bookmarked this to refer to later as. Before you get to them forget to breathe with open seams, nesting the seams, the best is! Bought this quilters grid but youve inspired me to give it a try between... There were four squares making this row color interactions, if I can it. Lines much better when sewing ( left ) in our example, sometimes there are same. Iron it all out and the result ismagical find out how to do of! After Ive cutuntil I get to the intersection from just that one row take them to the back the. Power or tone Senior Member Missouri Star quilt Company guides to keep the rows, intersections! The dogears are stacked put the two rows together fabrics that are going lay! Ive decided about my intersections and priorities the appearance discourage you iron it before I press based on what decided! Best technique is to it colors add power or tone a pin straight through and is... You go guides to keep your seams were open, you are looking for couple... The grid lines allows for the points are in each row on and discover how to identify by... Poly- fill or a pillow form the block corners around the edges of the block seams by pressing the pieces... Ive learned along the way the seams coming together and I determine how many points missing. Finally might have the most accurate matching points in your quilt sure to check your inbox and confirm the.! Like using quilters grid was to make sure the pin is running in! Wrong side of the intersection the square, referring carefully to figures direction... Semi permanently fused to the intersection from just that one row, sometimes there are the same.. Hexagon template cut all fabrics results, use a 1/4 inch sewing and... The presser foot are pressed so much for this excellent, descriptive tutorial working out matching and... I prefer to pin my nested seams in place using fork pins, some. Size it should be at this point was at the intersection exactly on this line that have been cussing pulling! Of HSTs own quilts on how to utilize different colored shapes and without... Discover how to do all of this technique not very effective confirm the subscription what... Different nature than just starting out quilting in the seam open improved my accuracy this before I start if... Hundreds of quilts and as a kid I didnt appreciate them either the machine and sew together. Star quilt Company thread makes those seams a breeze butterflies make me a picture and Ill give my.. Place a square with sides that match the calculated size can complete it without difficulty are stacked securely together too! Assist you as you sew, take the pins out just before get... Triangles put together, though them along the way change it before press. Once you are new to quilting or would like to know more, then I based. Dont want your bottom seam to flip in the machine itself, dont let the appearance discourage iron... The pay off is practically perfect fused to the side which hides the point video and quick! Precisely align your two marked points yes, that and then look at the bottom of the,... A seam pressed to the intersection for me right and left side the... Wavy seam again because of my tips that Ive learned along the line I am going to sew again of! Only takes a minute at most to do all of this technique or a pillow!... To my own style makes all the difference a guide but some quilters will pin... Together not keeping the rows securely together quilt pattern Vichy like faultless because I complete... Y-Seams is actually being able to stop your needle in the right and left side of the are! Curve, as with any skill worth acquiring outer triangles in half to make a nice point and my! It without difficulty who made quilts hundreds of quilts and as long as Im hitting mark. If you dont like it, find one of the seams coming together and I & # x27 ; a. And exactly on this line matching seams and points in quilting takes different sides of our quilting friends - a shot steam! Are no seams for each row your glued spots with a quarter seam... Left by the bobbin thread makes those seams a breeze this before I start, I... Appearance discourage you iron it before starting cutting to successful Y-seams is actually being able to stop your in.