Do you want your patchwork seams to match up perfectly every time?
Then you need to nest your seams. Yes, nesting seams is nothing to do with birds and all about perfect patchwork piecing.
The trick?
Where you want two seams to match up, iron one seam to one side and the other seam to the other side. Then when you put them right sides together to join, the two seams will slot up against each other.
Once you join the seam and open up, they will match beautifully!
What other quilting things would you like to know? I’d love to help!
interesting tip! Always like quilting tips…. you don’t know how to quilt as you go do you?
I haven’t made a quilt as you go quilt but it is on my To Do list so stay tuned
My first little quilt , an I spy , I have been having to undo the stitches because I am eding up with the squares side been too big and the backing too short , when is no saw baking is larger , what am I doing wrong ? or is there a trick to do this right ?
Thank you for these great tips.
Hi there Tonyo great hints and tips and loads of helpful information I was just wondering I have a Janome overlocker. I know how too thread my machine but I cant remember what the Beehive Dials should be set at would be most greatful for your thoughts on this.
Many thanks
Jan x
I still have trouble with nesting seams shifting! A third end up picked open and restitched even tho I pin them tight. Is there too much pressure on my presser foot?
I don’t know, Mary, but I’ve never heard of being able to adjust the pressure of your presser foot. I wonder how you would do that? Maybe talk to a sewing machine repair person? It would be interesting to see whether it made a difference.
I’ve heard this tip before, and every single time I try it, it refuses to work. I keep coming back to pressing all my seams open so I can actually SEE the seams. I don’t like doing this because 1) it’s time-consuming, and 2) it weakens the quilt top (at all the seams). I SO want this method to work, and everyone who tries it swears by it. I must be a special sort of idiot!!
I’m sure you’re not an idiot, Laura! I guess like all things it could be practice. Or maybe finding another quilter that can show you in real life rather than just seeing it online. I’m a visual learner so sometimes I need to actually see something in person to master it.
i always start my seam “near” the inter section of the four fabrics… go to end, then start again on the other side go to that end you end up with a double stitch over the intersection but mine are always lined up. it conquers that little bit of stretch that thows off the intersection of four fabrics
WOW, thank you so much for this tip. I struggle matching my seams, but not any more!
I am not sure I understand this. Can you add another picture or 2?
Hi Beth, I don’t have any more pictures but this video might help you get a better idea: http://video.about.com/quilting/Nest-Patchwork-Quilt-Seams.htm