Question about lumpy seams

[BarbaraB]

Good Morning all!
I'm joining the rows on a quilt I'm making (Butterfly Blooms by Cozy Quilt Designs) and some of the seams have 8 fabrics all coming together in one spot. I followed the directions to press all the seams to the side but the seam between the rows I pressed open due to the bulk. No matter how much I press these spots, it still is lumpy. Is this normal and something that will quilt out? For that matter, will I be able to quilt it on my home machine? Is there some trick to rearrange the seams to get it to lay flatter? I've only joined the first two rows and I'd hate to rip it out because all my seams line up perfectly. I hope this makes sense; I've had only one cup of coffee.

[DeniseSm]

Re: Question about lumpy seams

Good morning Barbara. If you post a picture of where the seams come together we may be able to give better advice. Sometimes you can press the seams different directions so all eight do not overlap. Frankly sometimes you can't.

If you do have eight layers of fabric overlapping it is normal for it to feel lumpy. You will not feel the lump after it is quilted.

Your domestic sewing machine will probably be able to quilt through the intersection. What kind of machine will you be doing the quilting on? If it all possible pick a quilting motif that doesn't go through the intersection of the eight layers. If you have to go through the intersection increase the size of your needle. A 90/14 is a minimum, a 100/16 would be better. Also the first time you sew over the intersection slow down and listen for your sewing machine making any unhappy sounds.

[Vonnie]

Re: Question about lumpy seams

This is how I do mine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17YE82WZ9tw

[grammaterry]

Re: Question about lumpy seams

I made that quilt and after I quilted it, it laid flat. I quilted it in spiraling circles and just circled around the intersecting seams. Just go for it. The first rows are always the hardest because we are worried we're not doing it right. After the first couple of rows you'll be more comfortable with it.

[LindaKay75]

Re: Question about lumpy seams

I did my pinwheel top exactly how Vonnie's attachment shows. And it works! Much less bulk.

[JCY]

Re: Question about lumpy seams

I know there is controversy about pressing seams open, but when it's that kind of a pattern where so many seams come together, I press seams open. Much less bulk. Another thing that helps those bumps is a Clover Pen. A drop of that liquid helps relax the fabrics & you can press them down. If that fails, take a small wooden mallet & whack 'em!

[cindirae]

Re: Question about lumpy seams

I have no problem taking a hammer an smashing the snot out of them.

[carolynrae]

Re: Question about lumpy seams

I am working on a Pinwheel quilt and I have done my seams like Vonnie's attachment also. Much less bulk.

[Carol336]

Re: Question about lumpy seams

My niece taught me to use this method

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw-yt1YrfZ0

[BarbaraB]

Re: Question about lumpy seams

Thanks for all the replies and the links to videos. I've tried fanning the seams but it seems that I'm mentally challenged unless I have someone right there to show me how to do it. I really laughed about taking a hammer to it. Can you imagine being a new quilter and walking into a shop and seeing that? I think I'd walk right out and rethink my new hobby......
While I was making it I did question the seams being pressed to the side, but since I've never made one like this I figured I'd better follow the instructions. I'm making a similar quilt and pressing the seams open works better. I did take a section of the quilt and a piece of batting and a scrap of fabric and just threw it under the machine to test quilt and it turned out fine when I made the stitches a bit bigger and decreased my presser foot pressure. I think it will turn out pretty well. I'm going to outline quilt it in 40wt. black thread. Thanks again and may you all have a good day!

[LindaKay75]

Re: Question about lumpy seams

My niece taught me to use this method

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw-yt1YrfZ0

That is an excellent way also. Thanks for posting.