MTS

Wait, you did the Yseam on the blocks, but when you went to sew the other 2 seams on the tumbling block, did you go all the way to the ends of the fabric, or did you stop 1/4" in to leave the seams open for the y-seam?

Jackie54

I went all the way

Jackie54

here is the backing of my tumbling block.

MTS

And there is the reason for your problem.

Basically, you will have a Yseam at EACH of the 6 points on a hexagon (the tumbling block) when it connects to ANOTHER tumbling block.

So if you sewed all the way to the end on those 2 seams, there is no room for the Y seam, which is why you have a bunching up when you're trying to join blocks.

So, take two other tumbling blocks (that you haven't joined to anything yet). Very carefully, pick out the stitches back to where you would have stopped if you knew ;-) you had to be preparing for a Yseam to come later. Do this on all 3 seams on those 2 Tumbling Blocks.

Actually, take a bit more, then resew the seam stopping at the correct point. Do you mark yours or have you been eyeballing it? I mark mine.

Then try joining a couple of those blocks. You'll see how much easier it goes together.

Go. Sew. Report back. ;-) ;-)

Jackie54

I think I better start marking, it might save me alot of time. Thanks for the help , I will put a picture of it up when I get it done. (first I have to try this) but thanks , I will report back to you .

MTS

I've done a gazillion of them, and also inset seams, and I still mark EVERY single dot on those freaking Y-seams.

I make an x by measuring a 1/4" just a little bit down each side from the point. And that x marks the space where I know I have to stop - I backstitch one or two stitches, where I have to join to the dot on the next block, etc.

But just do a couple to get the hang of it.