Paper piecing and the center of star has bulk
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Hampstead N.C.
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Paper piecing and the center of star has bulk
Paper pieced a star and it has many points that form the center. I did this in quilt block in 1/4 units, joined two together to form half of the block and then joined the 2 half's to form the square. That all made sense. Problem is each 1/4 block has 3 pieces; each with a point to form the large star for the final result of the block. This made 12 points in the center and lots of bulk. Hints to eliminate bulk for future blocks. Otherwise I like the block. Hope this made sense.
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
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Star centers can get pretty bulky. If you free up the stitching on the overlapping points you can swirl the ends to get them to lay flatter. You can also press the last seam allowance open. Some people now press all their seam allowances open when piecing intricate blocks.
#7
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Location: England Alton Towers
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Do all the above if still bulky hit it with a hammer. Trimming away as much as possible helps . Some also suggest folding seams one way in a windmill effect. Tried them all and hammer has always come in useful. Place scrap fabric over material and hit bothe sides.
#8
You can also not only trim excess points but even the 1/4" seam can be trimmed slightly to take out some bulk. I will trim one fabric of each seam allowance after it is sewn and before sewing the next section to it.
Eleanor Burns has dampened and taken a hammer to the centers of offending bulk. I do this too, just cover the seam with a scrap of fabric so it is not damaged during the pounding. It works!
peace
Eleanor Burns has dampened and taken a hammer to the centers of offending bulk. I do this too, just cover the seam with a scrap of fabric so it is not damaged during the pounding. It works!
peace
#9
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Hampstead N.C.
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Star centers can get pretty bulky. If you free up the stitching on the overlapping points you can swirl the ends to get them to lay flatter. You can also press the last seam allowance open. Some people now press all their seam allowances open when piecing intricate blocks.
#10
freeing up seams is what Eleanor Burns of Quilt In A Day does. the last seam stitches -she cuts the threads where the seam will open up. Just a tad. then flattens out the seams in a swirl. I used to have a link but can't find it.
if nothing helps, your seam allowance may not be exact and you may have to rip out some and resew.
if nothing helps, your seam allowance may not be exact and you may have to rip out some and resew.
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