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Today when I was making a 1/2 sq triangle, I turned it and sewed the other direction to get a 2nd tri. for scrap purposes and cut between the 1/4" lines. So the 1/8" seems awful thin. Do you think it will unravel? I'm planning on selling the quilt and don't want to fall apart on anyone. Do you think it is too iffie to sell? I know that quilting it will help on any pull that it might get, but what do you think?
When I'm worried about a seam, when I quilt it, I use either a blanket stitch or a ladder stitch (looks like a double sided blanket stitch). You could use different decorative stitches and it will look intentional. Look at the stitches you have and see if any of them will work.
When I make HST's I mark a line from corner to corner then sew 1/4" on either side of it. If you cut on that line both sides end up with a full quarter inch seam. Are you only sewing the lines 1/8" from the center?
I agree that as long as you do a good job with the quilting it should be fine if it is just a seam or two. If all of them are like that I'd re-evaluate how you are making the HST's.
This is what happened when I didn't have a full 1/4" seam allowance on a quilt I made for a gift. I was completely done with it and had put it thru the washer & dryer before gifting it. I had to take out my quilting and remove the block, hand sew a new block in and re quilt the area
Maybe double stitch the 1/8" seam with a zigzag stitch ( to prevent unraveling of the seams...then press seam to one side instead of open and then when you do the FMQ...make sure the stitching goes over these seams a few times...like if meandering...remember to do loops or curves specifically on this seam or like said above..use a decorative stitch at these seams. Or, if you are still not comfortable with the quilt having seams like this...start over for the one for sale and save these that you have done and make one for yourself...something that we quilters seldom do!
I recommend the 1/4 inch seam for everything. It just makes quilting and gifting a lot more fun if you don't have to worry about something coming apart. "a rule of thumb".. if you question it, then Fix IT before going further.
This is what has me cautious about making the Serendipity quilt. Love the idea of two quilts in one, but those seam allowances are tiny. One of these days I'll experiment and see if making the pinwheel portion a bit smaller will still work.
Having said that, I'd imagine your stitch length might play a part in this. The longer the stitches, the better your chance of the seam not holding.
Yup, if you are concerned, fix it now! 1/4 inch for all quilting is the rule of thumb, so guess there is a good reason for it, eh?
The trick to getting the extra HST is to sew the second stitch line 1/2 inch from the one you need for the actual block, that way the block and the bonus block both have a 1/4 inch seam when you cut between the two stitch lines. If you don't have an angler 2 you can draw the second stitch line if it helps. The nifty little 1/2 wide ruler works well, draw both lines at once.
I'm working on a quilt now that includes HSTs. I cut my fabric squares 5/8" larger than the desired size. I draw the center line & sew 1/4" on each side of the line like Jenny demos. I have a 1/4" presser foot, so it's easy to maintain the same distance on either side of the line. Press open the HSTs, then trim the excess fabric so it's all squared up. It's impt. to maintain that 1/4". I prefer to press the seams open, rather than "to the dark side". It is less bulk when sewing the block pcs. together. JCY
Thanks everyone. I was following her Valentine Heart pattern and did what it said, but I didn't care for the 1/8 look. So I am in the process of fixing it by replacing all of them. Next time I'll go to the rt. & lt. of the center line and just adjust all of my other measurements. Glad I had enough fabric to "fix it". : )
Colleen, sometimes narrower seams can't be avoided.... here is a little tutorial on how to 'fix' the seams. Lily's Quilts: Fixing a scant seam I haven't used it but it looks like it would work.... I recently looked at the Serendipity tutorial and to get the second quilt, Jenny says to use 1/8 inch seams on the left over block....
First, I'm glad you got a resolution.Quote:
Originally Posted by brook
Rather than getting into the complicated math of adjusting all the other measurements on your pattern, I might recommend picking up a Triangle Square Up Ruler 6 1/2" - Quilt In a Day . You make the triangle portions of the HST a little oversized then line up the marked lines on the ruler with your desired size before opening them. You simply put the ruler line over the stitching line and cut along the edges and when you fold open you'll have an appropriately sized HST with no tricky measuring or adjusting. My wife and I just picked up this ruler to do a sampler quilt and it is so easy it was well worth the few dollars spent on it.
Good luck!