How to Piece Better
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
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!
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!
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 07-23-2018 at 03:39 AM.
#42
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
#43
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
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.
#45
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,783
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.
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,891
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--vIltDWpl0
bkay
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 657
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.
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Blue Ridge Mountians
Posts: 7,075
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.
#49
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,265
Here is a good explanation of the importance of a scant 1/4 seam:
https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2011...t-14-inch.html
https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2011...t-14-inch.html
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AngelinaMaria
Main
9
04-17-2012 08:55 AM
barnbum
Pictures
16
03-11-2008 07:30 AM