Welcome to Day Three of the blog hop to launch Monique Dillard's new book "Traditional Fat Quarter Quilts". Today you have TWO sites to visit to see amazing quilts made from patterns in this book, as well as two chances to win the book! So, without delay, you must go visit Denise at Quilter's Window, and Monique herself at Open Gate Quilts.
I promised to show you a tricky bit in my block construction and give a little tip to make things come out right nearly every time.
See those intersections where the red half square triangles meet? It is REAL easy to have those be askew. Much easier to have them be wonky than nicely lined up. And that kind of wonkiness makes me seriously crazy.
So, what's the trick to making them line up perfectly? Besides paying attention to where you are stitching I mean?
U-shaped pins. If you haven't tried these, you must give them a chance.
Here's how they work. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Snuggle up your seam intersections so they abut nice and tight. If you have sewn your HSTs with a proper scant quarter inch seam and pressed your seam allowances in opposite directions, this should happen without a struggle. Stick your U-pin in place so that the tines hold down each seam allowance. When you stitch the seam, go slowly (so you don't break your needle stitching over the pin) and try to get the needle to come down right in that "sweet spot" where the stitching lines form an X where they meet.
You will be amazed at how perfectly aligned your finished results will be. Now, you can certainly achieve this with careful stitching and regular straight pins, but I find the U-pins to be far more consistent. Besides, those pesky seam allowances are held down nice and secure, so there isn't any of that nasty folding up and mis-stitching underneath. Don't you just hate that? When you turn your piece over and the back side shows you a big mess of folded over seam allowances and you have to un-sew and do it again? Those days are over with U-pins.
Funny you should say that...my friend just bought a package for us to share and I have not had a chance to use them yet. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Wendy | March 28, 2012 at 05:48 AM
You have showed those pins several times. I have got to find them and try them out!
sillysally aka choc chip addict
Posted by: sillysally | March 28, 2012 at 06:41 AM
Wow! So that's how you did it! I've now got to track down some of those pins - I wonder if they've made it to Switzerland yet?
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | March 28, 2012 at 07:18 AM
I bought a package of these pins and have had trouble getting them into fabric. Any secrets to help with that or should I try, try again?
Love the fabrics in your block!
I'm off to visit Denise and Monique!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | March 28, 2012 at 07:20 AM
I'm going to try these. It always drives me crazy when the back seam gets all messed up. Thanks for the tip.
Posted by: Kathy | March 28, 2012 at 07:23 AM
I bought a package the first time you showed us the U-pins. It is amazing how seams match up perfectly every time! They're well worth the price and you're right...no more mismatched seams underneath!
Posted by: Jan | March 28, 2012 at 07:38 AM
Thanks for the advise. I hate it when you pin and try to be so careful and then the seam has flipped over while you sew it.
Posted by: Jean | March 28, 2012 at 07:38 AM
Absolutely love the u-pins...I struggled with getting seams lined up before. After placing the pin you can "flip" and check out your seam alignment before you sew it. What you see is what you'll get after it's sewn...I give them to every new quilter I know.
Posted by: Patty E | March 28, 2012 at 07:51 AM
My way would be putting two pins at the seams. Great pins.
Posted by: Zarina | March 28, 2012 at 07:52 AM
Nicole, you are an inspiration to keep working on acurancy. I bought some of the pins the last time you mentioned them. Mine seem dull and hard to place in material. Might there be different brands out there?
Posted by: Paula Zumaris | March 28, 2012 at 08:24 AM
Your block is very pretty. I won a package of the u-pins awhile back. I was not sure what they were meant for, at first, but then I figured it out after checking online. I like to press my seams open and these pins help make it easy to match seams and intersections. I highly recommend them!
Posted by: Erica | March 28, 2012 at 08:31 AM
I bought some of those pins last year & wonder how I ever sewed without them. They are wonderful for getting seams to line up just right. I tell all of my quilting friends about them.
Posted by: Kay Mc | March 28, 2012 at 09:26 AM
You're so right about these pins, Nicole! They really do the job well!
Cheers!
Posted by: Candace | March 28, 2012 at 09:38 AM
I love these pins, I forget I have them half the time though, LOL.
Posted by: Karin | March 28, 2012 at 09:39 AM
I just bought some of those pins a couple of weeks ago thanks to you. They work great - thanks for the tip.
Posted by: Deb A | March 28, 2012 at 10:25 AM
What a great idea! U shaped pins! I've never heard of them before, but if they help solve the problem of getting seams to match up correctly, I'll try them. Thanks for sharing about them.(I learn so much from quilt blogs!)
Posted by: Margaret | March 28, 2012 at 12:05 PM
LIKE!!!
Posted by: Marilyn | March 28, 2012 at 12:56 PM
Wow...with your wonderful seams and the positive comments about U shaped pins, I must try them! Thanks.
Posted by: Jane | March 28, 2012 at 01:08 PM
Dang! Where did you buy them? ;p
Posted by: ina | March 28, 2012 at 01:56 PM
I just picked up a pack the last time joAnn's had a sale. It takes getting used to, but I'm liking them. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Sandy M | March 28, 2012 at 06:04 PM