Help! Sage Advice Needed...
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 1,552
Contrary to the opinion of most, I like seams to be pressed open. I long arm, and I can tell you it makes my job much easier when the seams are open........top lays flatter, bulk is greatly reduced.
#23
Call me a cheater or lazy or whatever, but when I've got the not-nesting-already-sewed-these-bad-boys-down problem, I just snip the seam without cutting through it. Then I splay them apart so one goes east, the other west, then starch again, press the dickens out of them, and call it good. I've just never gotten the whole nesting thing down so I compensate. By the time I add batting, quilting, and backing, it all works together.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NW Kansas
Posts: 601
When you sew your blocks together, be sure to lower your stitch length. That way where you are pressing your seams open, they are definitely secure. I press most of my seams open all the time, just use a lower stitch length. Harder to un-sew, but, oh well.
#26
I usually see before I sew which way they need to go. Stick a pin in going up one way and the other going down, then they will nest. If they don't work out that way then I do the seam allowance east and west then flip it back. I only FMQ and go around the intersections to avoid the thick intersections.
I don't want to change needles.
I don't want to change needles.
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: East Kootenays, BC
Posts: 947
Well if anyone is still following this thread, here is a picture of my progress to date. Three rows of of eight total done. It is not perfect, but I am going with close enough! This quilt has been a bit of a challenge for me, way more than I anticipated, having taken the quilt at face value and not getting overly analytical about the construction details. I mean, how bad could it be, right. Looks simple. But with the method provided and resulting biased block edges and resultant thick seam points and non-nesting seams, I've had my hands full after thinking I'd have it whipped together in no time! Ha! Anyway, to answer the odd question, I do my own quilting, now on a Longarm and plan to do a custom treatment TBD, so do plan to ditch it. As it stands now, the only open seams are those running thru the middle of the squares, so it won't be a problem. I do really like the look so far of the quilt, but if I were to make it again, I'd take a long look at the process first and see if there is an easier way. The fabric is a jelly roll of Southern Exposure by Laundry Basket Quilts and a Moda batik from the Wild Waves collection. Thanks for all of your advice and comments.
#28
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
A truly beautiful quilt, Kwiltr. Your point matching is unbelievably perfect. Who cares where the seams lie on the back. I know a judge would find those bulky spots, but the rest of us for the rest of our lives can just enjoy the gorgeous quilt.
The reason I'm still on this thread is because I always check the "latest posts" on my profile site. I always have to check to see if anyone has read my posts and answered them. So, I'll be checking this tomorrow! ! ! !
The reason I'm still on this thread is because I always check the "latest posts" on my profile site. I always have to check to see if anyone has read my posts and answered them. So, I'll be checking this tomorrow! ! ! !
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: East Kootenays, BC
Posts: 947
A truly beautiful quilt, Kwiltr. Your point matching is unbelievably perfect. Who cares where the seams lie on the back. I know a judge would find those bulky spots, but the rest of us for the rest of our lives can just enjoy the gorgeous quilt.
The reason I'm still on this thread is because I always check the "latest posts" on my profile site. I always have to check to see if anyone has read my posts and answered them. So, I'll be checking this tomorrow! ! ! !
The reason I'm still on this thread is because I always check the "latest posts" on my profile site. I always have to check to see if anyone has read my posts and answered them. So, I'll be checking this tomorrow! ! ! !
#30
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,858
You sound a bit frustrated ..... this is definitely a time to be using Best Press!!
My avatar quilt is much the same pattern.
I made it before I knew the merits of Best Press (or even starch), and had few problems.
However, I did learn the merits of good pressing practices during the preparatory stages
and at every step along the way.
You have a beautiful quilt in the works and that alone will be worth keeping at it!
My avatar quilt is much the same pattern.
I made it before I knew the merits of Best Press (or even starch), and had few problems.
However, I did learn the merits of good pressing practices during the preparatory stages
and at every step along the way.
You have a beautiful quilt in the works and that alone will be worth keeping at it!
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