matching seams
09-11-2011, 08:22 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ramona, California
Posts: 2,999
Originally Posted by quilter1430
Fudge when you have to. Fabric has a lot of give and take, so make it work for you. Instead of pins, I use my fingers to feel the two seams intersect, pinch it together, and work through the machine. After a while, feeling the two seams lock becomes second nature. My seams are usually perfect with this method.
09-11-2011, 08:35 AM
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,502
It's something we all struggle with. We starch, pin, ease and rip but sometimes a point will be cut off or a corner not match. If you do need to ease a square, put the larger piece on the bottom next to the feed dogs. The feed dogs take up a little more fabric than the fabric on the top. Keep at it and you will get better.
09-11-2011, 09:18 AM
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
Welcome from Michigan!!
Here are some tutorials from this board that may help.
1/4" Seams:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-89997-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-122374-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-150279-1.htm
Pressing tips:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-149984-1.htm
Here are some tutorials from this board that may help.
1/4" Seams:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-89997-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-122374-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-150279-1.htm
Pressing tips:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-149984-1.htm
09-11-2011, 09:28 AM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 2,735
As said, you need a few things in order: accurate cutting, accurate lining the fabrics and precise sewing. I will bring in something new: reduce the size of the thread to the smallest you can deal with. Some machines can not work with very small threads, so use the thinnest you can. Another thing I always do is not to press my seams open. I press to set the seams after I sew them, but never press them open. I find that it distort the fabrics and I can not match anything after that. I just finger press.
09-11-2011, 04:04 PM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Middlebury Vermont
Posts: 225
I read all the responses but didn't see this recommendation. Sounds like you aren't using a IDT or walking foot. the IDT is a built in walking foot on several different brands of machines, where the 'walking foot' can be a separate gadget you attach yourself. It pulls the top fabric at the same time as it pulls the bottom fabric so it feeds together and makes matching seams so much easier.
09-11-2011, 05:07 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Jacksonville NC
Posts: 6,510
Originally Posted by quilter1430
Fudge when you have to. Fabric has a lot of give and take, so make it work for you. Instead of pins, I use my fingers to feel the two seams intersect, pinch it together, and work through the machine. After a while, feeling the two seams lock becomes second nature. My seams are usually perfect with this method.
09-11-2011, 05:10 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orangevale, California
Posts: 540
One thing that I just learned by trial and error.... having the grain match on both blocks you are sewing together. For example, on a plain square one side will stretch, and one side will not. Sew together the sides that don't stretch first!
09-11-2011, 06:25 PM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,943
Originally Posted by ghostrider
Consistent seams, sharp pressing, nesting and pinning both sides of the seam, gently easing in (with pinning) any differences and practice...you'll get there, not to worry. It'll become second nature, I promise. :D
ali
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