meyert

Ok.. I have been reading what I feel is quite a bit on quilting. I have done a fair amount of quilting as well. I have had the 1/4" seam embedded into my mind. I am starting memory quilts for my sister with my nephews clothes (jeans, jacket, shirts, ect..) I have made all of plans and started to cut. Then recently I was reading some posts on denim quilts.... and since I have some denim that I will be using I read through most of the thread. There were a couple comments about using a 1/2" seam instead of the 1/4" seam - ugh. I already have my cuts made.. based on a 1/4" seam. So I can't really go back. What should I be prepared for now that I have to use the 1/4" seam allowance? Is there something that I should do to make the 1/4" seams work easier? Please let me know

DebraK

maybe reinforce the seams with a second row of stitching?

edited to say: oops i didn't read your post correctly. I thought you were worried about it falling apart, not ease of sewing. Sorry.

MartiMorga

How about Fray Check on the denim?

ArtsyOne

After sewing the 1/4" seam, I would sew 1/8" from the seam on the wrong side of your block. Denim is notorious for unravelling when washed, so this would give you some insurance against that.

BellaBoo

You could try using a double needle and save time. I would split the difference and sew a 3/8" seam using the cuts I had.

DebraK

That's what I was thinking.

meyert

Thank you for your replies.. so maybe all is not lost I may take all of the suggestions. I will sew the 1/4" and then the 1/8" as well. (I think my new machine my have the double needle set up - I just have never used it) I have used fray stop before, and I would rather take the time now and use it because I would hate for it to unravel and come apart.... I am still a little concerned about the bulk if I do 1/4" and 1/8" sewing...

CarolynMT

You could always use a serger to piece denim, a serged seam if set up properly should do a 1/4" seam and will protect it from unraveling.

dunster

1/2" or even larger seams are usually used for rag quilts. Was that the case in the thread you were reading? Maybe 1/4" is fine for what you're doing, particularly if your quilting lines are close enough to prevent seams from opening.

meyert

A serger is probably a good idea, but I don't have one. I just recently was able to pull the money together to get a good sewing machine.... maybe I will keep a serger in mind