French braid
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: South Texas
Posts: 584
French braid
I found a French braid type quilt that I would like to try. My problem is that it seems to be all set-in seams. To me, that seems to add a lot of bulk, and would be very time consuming. Does anyone know of a simple(r) way to obtain the look, without all those seams?
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,182
I think the usual answer is to make it sort of like a log cabin, start with a triangle and then one piece to the end, then the next piece. Typically you would use strips and then cut it along the sides.
This seems to be a pretty good example, it doesn't show you making long rows and then connecting them together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov9HVgvGV60
I do have a pattern for the harder/more traditional version from back when I was collecting ties. The lady who sent me it did it as hand work and the set in seams weren't an issue for her.
This seems to be a pretty good example, it doesn't show you making long rows and then connecting them together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov9HVgvGV60
I do have a pattern for the harder/more traditional version from back when I was collecting ties. The lady who sent me it did it as hand work and the set in seams weren't an issue for her.
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
I’ve done many French braid quilts, it’s one of my go- to patterns. I’ve never done a set in seam....
french braid quilts are fun, even for beginners. I recommend the book ( French Braid Quilts) by Jane Hardy Miller
french braid quilts are fun, even for beginners. I recommend the book ( French Braid Quilts) by Jane Hardy Miller
#4
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: S.E. Queensland, Australia
Posts: 1,503
If you didn't have all those seams you wouldn't have a braided quilt.
Are you looking at a Broken Herringbone quilt. This video makes it rather simple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMHGzRK2nEA
Are you looking at a Broken Herringbone quilt. This video makes it rather simple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMHGzRK2nEA
Last edited by Gay; 11-17-2018 at 01:50 PM.
#5
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
I've only done a few french braids and they did not have set in seams. The piecing is more like Seminole piecing where you are sewing squares and rectangles and trimming off the zig zag edges.
But if this pattern is different, set in seams really are not difficult at all, fussy yes but only at first, difficult, no. Once you have done a couple of them you will wonder why you dreaded and avoided them at all costs. I feel knowing how to do them is an invaluable tool in your quilting know how arsenal. Many patterns require them and you can't do a mitered border without knowing how to do a set in seam (aka Y seam).
But if this pattern is different, set in seams really are not difficult at all, fussy yes but only at first, difficult, no. Once you have done a couple of them you will wonder why you dreaded and avoided them at all costs. I feel knowing how to do them is an invaluable tool in your quilting know how arsenal. Many patterns require them and you can't do a mitered border without knowing how to do a set in seam (aka Y seam).
#6
The French braid quilts I've seen and made did not require set-in seams. Even if they did, I don't think that would mean extra bulk. As feline points out, they are not difficult, and not very time consuming once you get some practice.
#10
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 292
I made a French braid quilt, California king size. It had seven braids. The hardest part was getting up each time I did a seam to press it, which is why I did a piece on each braid,then pressed all seven braids before adding the next one. used a jelly roll, three of them, cut pieces eight inches, with a twelve inch triangle at the top. Fun to do, especially as the braid grows. Working on a small braid now for a sweatshirt jacket with six braids, four by one and a half inches, same method.
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