Flying_V_Goddess

I bought two pieces of plaid fabric for the back of my quilt. I'm having trouble getting the plaids to line up right when I sew the two pieces together. Is there some secret technique that I don't know about to get the plaids to line up?

SandraJennings

Plaids can be tricky but I have found that if you pin well and sew slowly it helps. Also try using a stiletto or the tip of your seam ripper to feed the fabric as it will be pushed less by your fingers. We do that and don't even realize it. Breathe deep and lightly start to sew. :-)

Flying_V_Goddess

Thanks for the info! I'll put it to good use.

SandraJennings

Make sure when you pin you are pinning the needles in line with the stripe you are trying to mate. That way the stripe will stay aligned and not slip as it will with the pin loaded vertically. Also you need to realize with plaids you may need extra material to make the match. Kind of like matching seams in wallpaper. Same process.

Flying_V_Goddess

Yeah, I made the mistake of not buying extra plaid fabric the first time around. Didn't occur to me to buy extra when I was buying it...I hadn't planned on getting any fabric that day and when I saw this nice blue plaid fabric on sale I just thought "That looks better than the stuff I got now!" and just bought it. Then I got home to pin and sew the two pieces together I realized that in order for the plaids to line up one of the pieces would have to be a little bit longer. So I had to go back to Wal-Mart and buy another two yards...which I guess isn't a bad thing. I can use the stuff I didn't use for the back of a baby quilt or something.

The info you gave me really helped! It took me forever to pin it all together last night (I was watching Memoirs of a Geisha while doing it...I finally got done once I was half-way through the 2hr 20min movie). But the stripes lined up like they should *happy dance*.

loves_2_quilt

Have you tried using a "Walking Foot"? It will allow your top fabric to feed at the same speed as the bottom. It is like having feed dogs on top and bottom.

DD

Flying_V_Goddess

I don't even have a walking foot for my sewing machine.

SandraJennings

I'm glad to hear it worked for you. I know it takes a little more time but when they line up it is like you said.."HAPPY DANCE". my feet are tapping for you! :lol:

Flying_V_Goddess

I figured it was going to take more than five minutes so I popped in my favorite movie to pass the time. Hmmm, I wonder why I watch that movie almost every time I quilt...maybe its because of the beautiful kimonos (made out of beautiful hand-dyed, hand-embroidered textiles) the actresses wear.

Well, that's one hurdle I had to jump over...now I have to go do another one. If I come on here tomorrow screaming "I quit!"...you'll know why.

vicki reno

Don't say that! Just say you are taking a break. Soemtimes, you just have to set it aside for a little while.