Paper foundation piecing

[Claire C.]

Hi
Any tips when joining two foundation pieced blocks together? I push pins through the corners on each end and match them up, but when i put a pin in to secure it always shifts on the bottom so the seam is a fraction out! Does that make sense??? :?

Lynn in wet UK

[Annis C.]

I know what you are talking about. I found that using an extra fine pin helps and as you hold the pieces together tightly with a pin through the corners, start the pin to secure it away from the seam allowance and end at the seam allowance very close to the corner pin. I hope this makes sense. Someone else may have a better solution but this usually works for me.

[Annis C.]

Thanks, will try it. Course, it could just be me being anal!! Lol

[Annis C.]

Or you could try matching up the two corners with pins through perpendicular, then using a 3rd (& 4th)pin, pin next to the perpendicular ones. I've found that if you put a pin in perpendicular to match up seam points, when you lay it flat to tuck the point in, it will displace the lining up.

Rosemary in dry but dank UK

[Annis C.]

Carol Doak showed us how she does this. Put your two pieces together, right sides together, and eye ball it. Lengthen your stitch to 3.0. Start at the first corner, and sew 4 or 5 stitches, then remove to see if you are target on the bottom. If so, go down a couple inches or to an intersection and repeat. do this down the entire length. If it is all matched up with this "basting", go back with a shorter stitch length and sew the entire length. I have done this many times and have saved myself worlds of frustation! HTH!

Maggie in E. central Illinois

[Annis C.]

Thanks, will try it. Course, it could just be me being anal!! Lol

I call it "slipping away from perfection"! Basting is a good idea too, especially if you have lots of points that need matching, but I seldom do this because it takes more time and leaves extra thread that I don't want in my quilt. After I've matched the corners and any other matching points, sometimes using 2 pins like you do for pinwheel blocks, then I pin the rest of the seam on the sewing line parellel to the edge of the fabric. I check to make sure the pin is also on the sewing line on the back of the block. Also I use a sewing machine with dual feed so don't have a problem with the paper shifting.

[Marion D.]

You've got my attention with the sewing machine with dual feed. What kind of machine is it? What exactly is dual feed? Is this a new or rare feature? I have a 38 year old Bernina that I haven't felt the need to replace.

[Annis C.]

You've got my attention with the sewing machine with dual feed. What kind of machine is it? What exactly is dual feed? Is this a new or rare feature? I have a 38 year old Bernina that I haven't felt the need to replace.

I use a Pfaff Performance 2054 for all of my piecing. Dual feed is like a walking foot but you use regular feet with it instead. There's a deal on the back of the machine that hooks to the foot to make it work for dual feed which helps feed the fabric layers evenly. The quarter inch foot and open toe applique foot work with it so you don't have the bulk of a walking foot. Pfaff has had this technology for many years. Some of the other companies are starting to use something similar on their machines. I have a Janome 6600 that has it but it doesn't work with the quarter inch foot. I use this machine for most of my quilting. I understand that the newer Bernina also has it but they are quite expensive and since I already have more machines than I need including an older Bernina I will be waiting sometime before trying out this machine.

[Annis C.]

I match the seam and then put a dot of glue there hit it with a hot iron. Check to make sure everything is where I want it and then if it is--I sew.

[karen f.]

I match the seam and then put a dot of glue there hit it with a hot iron. Check to make sure everything is where I want it and then if it is--I sew.

That's a great idea Ritzy! I hope I'll remember that for when I need it.

[Beth A.]

Love, love, LOVE my Pfaff with dual feed! I sometimes forget how great it is until I use another machine and seams slip around unless they are pinned far more than I have to with my machine.

BethMI

[Robin G.]

George Siciliano has a neat trick that he uses to match corners, etc. on his intricate miniature quilts - he uses double-sided tape (outside the stitching line so you don't accidentally sew over it) to hold his blocks in place. They don't shift with the tape and because it is on the material for such a short time, it doesn't leave any residue. I have tried this method and it works well. I have also basted, using fine thread, and that works well, too.

[Robin G.]

I match the seam and then put a dot of glue there hit it with a hot iron. Check to make sure everything is where I want it and then if it is--I sew.

I llike the sound of this Ritzy! What type of glue, have loads of different ones that were recommended but not used yet, so will kill two birds with one stone so to speak!!!! :lol:

Lynn in really COLDDDDD UK

[Robin G.]

I use Elmer's Washable school glue. You can get an adapter for the top and get just a small amount out or you can use a toothpick to get a small amt. I don't worry about it. I just put the glue there--I know I will wash it later so the glue will come right out. I also use the Elmer's washable stick glue. Can you get Elmer's glue there? If not, I would think any washable glue would work.

[Margo C.]

If you are going to use Elmer's (or other liquid washable glue) you might want to check out my tutorial in the TQS classroom showing how to retro-fit the bottle in order to have more control over the flow of the glue.

See it here: learn/classrooms/