Marty K

At a recent class at our LQS she suggested before we sew the seam that we match up the seams and sew 3 or 4 stitches over the seam.....then check to see what you think....sometimes there is an easement to take into account, and she says make sure that side with the easement is on the bottom when you sew the seam. (The feed dogs help take in the extra fabric). If, when you sew the few stitches and see it isn't exactly as you want, then you only have a few stitches to remove rather than the entire seam. I do it now all the time....takes a little extra effort, but turns out perfect matching seams. Did I explain that so you could understand it????

barbie50

[quote=BellaBoo]You can glue baste the seams to a perfect match then sew.

:Yes! I thought I was cheating, but I sometimes use a couple drops of glue right at the seam joint. Then press to set it. Perfect points result!

JUNEC

I always make it a habit to check my 1/4" alignment with graph paper before I start sewing any blocks.

I also startch heavily

MissJMac

Does anyone remember "stay-stitching" from the days of sewing garments, it's that basting seam that allowed you ease fabric to match darts, etc. I usually have pretty good luck "nesting" seams but I I have a problem I'll slip in a few "stay-stitches" to even things out. BE CAREFUL TO, press - not iron that seam or you may end up distorting the fabric or getting a wobbly block.

Quiltinvaca

Press, press, press, press every seam before you attempt to sew it to the next section. Each section should be pressed in the opposite direction and then you can feel the "hill & valley" when you butt the 2 seams together.

I never pin this area, but I do use a stiletto to hold the seams together until they reach the needle. I use my stiletto much more than pins as I can't seem to sew without one in my hand. (And, it comes in handy if the quilt police get too close!)

ghostrider

So many rules and warnings. :lol: I'm glad I'm not a novice quilter...I'd be scared to death about now!

Some say press to one side to nest seams, some say press seams open; some swear by starch, some refuse to use it; some are obsessrive about scant quarter inch seams, some just go for consistency; some glue, some pin, some pinch, some poke with a stiletto.

Best advice I can give you is to try all these tips and tricks, give them a good chance to show you whether they'll work for you, and then go with whatever one(s) you are comfortable using that give you the best results for your effort. There is no right or wrong in quilting.

Above all else, quilting should be fun...matching seams should not put terror in your heart, nor should it be more work than it's worth. Relax and enjoy the ride. ;)

trolleystation

If I am really frustrated, I pin each seam and sew just 3 or 4 stitches in it to keep it in place. Then I can see if there is extra fabric between the seams that needs to be 'eased' in. I just finished a quilt with points at the seams and this trick worked just fine. This quilt also had biased edges.

Arleners

This is something I struggled with in the past. Do you press your seam allowances in oposite directions? That is a big help. I also pin the seam allowances first when I am joining pieces. Keep practicing. It will come to you eventually.

janquilts'ncrochets

I find this helps me too. :thumbup:

Momsmurf

My problem generally arises when I'm working too fast.
I generally walk away for a minute or two and remember to deep breath, relax and "enjoy" the moment then things seem better.