Advice on Pinwheels..... please

I was so inspired by Wendy's beautiful pinwheel quilt, I decided to make a couple of blocks.... sort of as a test for myself.

They were fairly simple, except for one thing. Is it normal to have a 'bump' in the middle, where all of the seams intersect? Is there a secret that I missed, lol?

Thanks all.... you're very much appreciated

I haven't made a pinwheel in awhile, but did you 'nest' the seams when you sewed the sections together Mia? One seam goes one direction and the other seam goes the opposite. If not, perhaps you could clip a few threads that will allow you to open the seams without making a hole in the center of the block.

Hugs,

I always get a little Hump in the center even when I stagger the seams.. here is where I starch and press . There is always a little "give" in the fabric, but it "quilts" out easily.

There is a way to "swirl" the center seams, but I haven't figured out how to do it yet. It is supposed to eliminate that bump where they all join.
Hmmm. Maybe that is a good suggestion for a Jenny tutorial!

I make sure my seam allowances all go around in the same direction(like a swirl) and pick out the last two stiches where they all intersect, and press them out flat with my finger, then press with iron. It makes a mini-pinwheel(swirl). Hope that made sense! :)

Thank you all very much. I did my best to nest seams but I'll give a try to the swirly thing too. Huggggggs

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Originally Posted by sassyquilter

I make sure my seam allowances all go around in the same direction(like a swirl) and pick out the last two stiches where they all intersect, and press them out flat with my finger, then press with iron. It makes a mini-pinwheel(swirl). Hope that made sense! :)

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Dumby here doesn't quite understand what you mean about picking out the last two stitches and pressing them flat. Do you have a picture?

The swirly thing really works but takes a little practive. Barb

Barb, I am trying but so far not much luck with the swirly thing :)

Mia, you ask such good questions... sometimes I have more of a bump than others, but usually I've found that the seams were all going the same way.

Mia, great question! Most of mine still have a slight bump even with the seams going the same way. They seem to disappear with the quilting.

Mia----I made a king sized pinwheel quilt top......not quilted yet. I have bumps on some more than others. I nested. Couldn't figure out the swirly thing, either. Pressed and pressed. Sorry.....can't help you.....but if you figure it out, let me know!

aww thanks Deb. I feel so fortunate to have you all to ask when I get confused (which is way too often). You make me feel blessed with your friendship.

Thanks Suz..... I still haven't gotten it all figured out because I'm having the same issue. Some have bigger bumps..... but maybe I can "quilt them out" lol

Hi Mia, I'm no expert but I have learnt to press as I go ... I pressed the seams open when joining the squares to eliminate the bulk. I still had little bumps, but it had no effect on the quilting. Keep at it, it will happen :-))

I too pressed seams open to keep that bump down. Also I put the pinwheel together in blocks. Two for the top and two for the bottom. Then sewed the top two together and then the bottom two together and then sewed top to bottom. That way it was like only four seams meeting instead of all seams. It makes a little difference.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mia

I was so inspired by Wendy's beautiful pinwheel quilt, I decided to make a couple of blocks.... sort of as a test for myself.

They were fairly simple, except for one thing. Is it normal to have a 'bump' in the middle, where all of the seams intersect? Is there a secret that I missed, lol?

Thanks all.... you're very much appreciated

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Try this blogspot for photos and a good description about nesting seams and 'twirling' so you don't have humps:

http://laquilter.blogspot.com/2009/0...ing-seams.html


Now, if you can't master it you have to start calling your pinwheels dromedaries. (Actual camels have two humps.)

Thanks Sandy ...... very much for the link.
I kinda like the name dromedaries for my quilts because some of them are a bit lumpy humpy...... lol
Have a great day

Here is a video that shows how to "fan" the center of the pinwheel so it will lie flat.... starts at about T = 5:30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O18wxk9BZk4

Thank you Freda......I appreciate your help

I just watched it and...........Wow that is a great pinwheel tutorial .... thank you again..... very much

Thank you for the question, Mia. And the resource info Sandy and Freda. I just finished a tablerunner top using pinwheels....it really came out nice, but for those nasty humps. (Cute, Sandy....I like dromedaries better!)