MarthaT

Have any of y'all tried the "butterfly" method of sewing Y-seams? I had given up on machine sewing those dreaded Y-seams. I have sewn clothing and pieced quilts for years and I tried every person's new and improved ways of sewing Y-seams that I could find and never was happy with my results. Finally I have found a way, other than hand piecing, that works for me! I have 9 perfectly pieced, 6-pointed star blocks to prove it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DFqprE4T2g

Onebyone

I'm glad you found a way you can do the Y seams. I never had a problem sewing Y seams but don't do them much. No matter how you do them they are a pain in the butt.

juneayerza

This looks way too complicated for me. Y seams don't bother me that much.

Cindy60545

thanks! I needed that!

Geri B

I use Kaye woods method....easiest way for me......and perfect every time

MarthaT

It's not complicated at all. All seams are sewn full length and then, where the seams form an X, you pick out any stitches that went out into the seam allowance. (Gyleen Fitzgerald says the reason you sew all the way and then pick out rather than stopping is that last stitch you save is tighter if you sew past and then unpick.) Sooo much easier than marking all the 1/4 seam marks, trying to line up the marks, stopping at just the right place. This way you are not lining up marks, but lining up the fabric pieces, edge to edge on top of each other and sewing like traditional seams. You basically ignore the other adjoining pieces (folding them back in half on themselves like the wings of a butterfly) and just unsew where you sewed past the intersections. Open it up and everything is lined up perfectly and super flat. Seams kind of automatically go where they need to go, swirl in the right directions. Then press. I love this method! So thankful there is not just one way of doing these things and delighted to finally find one that works for me. There is a video of Gyleen teaching this on a web site where you have to sign up and pay for, so can't post it here. The photography is much more professional on hers, so you can see better what she is doing.

Geri B

Yes, I have watched her video.......good way too...very similar to Kay wood, but she just pivots at the Y and matched seams and continues to sew to the end...no picking out of stitches....hardto explain, but it works perfect for me. Am now working on a 6 pointed star using all 60 degree diamonds....would have never attempted the " old" way....

tessagin

I did this one day sewing some hexies. Folded like wings.

BettyGee

I have always used the Kaye Wood method for the dreaded "Y" seam, but this tool looks like it could be so helpful in other situations. Believe I will add it to my collection. Thank you so much for pointing me to the link.

CAS49OR

Is there an actual tool, or is the process the "tool"? I saved it to watch later but, Martha, you explanation really cleared up the technique for me and I agree it would be much easier than stopping 1/4" short which I did last time I made one.
I always have that darn seam ripper out anyhow!