Getting Precise Seam Abutments

 
Here are my block units for Rummy (from Monique Dillard's new book Fat Quarter Winners), all laid out ready to stitch.  One thing that you will need to concern yourself with if you make this block, is getting those seam abutments lined up perfectly.  This can be an issue that drives quilters nuts, but I have a couple of tips that may help.

 
See where my ripper is pointing?  These are the points that are going to go wrong on you, if anything is.  Because of the strong light/dark contrast of my fabrics, if these seams are not perfectly lined up, it will show up like a sore thumb.  Seriously, if the seams are off by a thread, it will show and look uneven and make you cry.

So.  Take a deep breath.  Line up your block units and have a calm look. Put the two units together, and place a pin *precisely* where the two seams meet.  Put your pin straight in.

 

Turn the pieces over and look at the back side.  The pin should be coming out in exactly the corresponding point--right on the seam line and at the intersection where the two seams meet.

 
Can you see that?  Look close.  If the pin doesn't come out at exactly the point where the seam is, jimmy it around until it does.  There is only ONE sweet spot, and you need to find it.  This is SO important.

 
See where my pin is?  See how the sewing machine needle is coming down exactly in that same hole that the pin is making?  That is what you need to do.  Yes, it is fiddly, but you will be so happy that the seams abut perfectly and you don't have to do any ripping, you will thank me for this persnickettiness. 

 
Ideally, you do not want this seam to be off by a single thread, or you will see it and be unhappy.  It is an easy thing to get right, but you have got to pin.

 
Here is a photo of the whole stitching line, with my pins in place.  See those U shaped pins?  I love them for those places where seam allowances come together.  The U shape holds the seam allowances in place on both sides of the seam, so you don't get any of that fold over nonsense.  I want my seams to lie nice and flat, with no unruly flop over.   Really, is that a pet peeve of yours too?  I just hate it when my seams get sewn in the wrong direction.  These pins do the trick! 

For another look at how to get your seam allowances to behave, check out Lisa's blog post last week.  She presses her seams open (another technique entirely).  Go have a look. You will not ever have seen a more beautiful block in your life.  And it is the BACK SIDE of her block.  She is amazing, truly.

I hope these little tips were helpful to you.  I am a believer in pinning, as you may have guessed.  I admire folks who don't seem to need to do it, but pins are my little fail safe devices!  I think I may sound like a broken record to my daughter Sara, as I am always nagging her to pin more.  Pin or don't pin, as is your pleasure.  However, if I couldn't pin, I would be an unhappy camper!  My little crutches.

 

 

Comments

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

Thanks Nicole. This is what I was talking about when I said what I like about your blog! It's precision that make a quilt sing!

[Karen L.]

I use lots of pins. One of my frustrations is having the ends of the pieces not meet any more at the end of the stitching. If I
spend a lot of time with my seam ripper, I get frustrated and then the project is moved to the bin of the unknowns forthwith!
Karen L.

[Linda]

Yes, pinning is a must for perfect piecing!!

[Wendy]

Great lesson today Nicole! I really need to find some of those U shaped pins, I've never seen them here but I'll be in the states next month and hunting for them!!

[Jan]

I first read about U pins here...and I RAN to the quilt shop for a box!! They are everything you describe and everytime I use them I am amazed at the p-e-r-f-e-c-t seam abutment they produce! (I may or may not sit and admire the results in awe)!!

[Helen in Switzerland]

I love this pattern Nicole, but I think all those matching points would probably drive me completely loopy! I guess I'll have to wait until I'm feeling very strong for this one!!

[Luned]

Thank you for the tutorial and such clear photos. I must get some of those u pins! One question, when do you remove the pins or do you sew over them?

[sillysally]

Thanks for another great tutorial. Those U shaped pins do look like they help tremendously. Now I have to go look at Lisa's blog.

[Jean]

My friend calls me the queen of pinning! I use lots!!!

[Candace]

I so agree with you on pinning, Nicole! I just love seeing my seams match up perfectly! Great tutorial!
Cheers!

[MarciaW]

I too dislike the "seams flipping" when stitching on the sewing machine - sew will be looking for the U-pins when next travel to shop at the "big city" cloth store. Your tutorial is wonderful - for such a complicated block.

[Barbara Anne]

Great tutorial Nicole! Thanks! I've gotten some U shaped pins since I saw how you use them but have not had occasion to use them yet.

Hugs!

[Lorrie]

Those kinds of seams tend to make me nuts! I'm so glad you've broke it down for us. I've gotta find me some of those pins.

[Sue Bennett]

Thanks for the great tips for putting these seams together. I just got some of the U pins.

[Paula Zumaris]

Nicole,I appreciate your help with pinning. I knew how to find the right spot, but not how to properly pin. I will also keep trying to use my u pins.

[Anita]

Great tutorial, but I too had a question on when to take the pin out. Sometimes it seems I take it out too soon and lose my "sweet spot". Do you just go over them? Thanks!