Tutorial Tuesday – Nesting Seams in a Four Patch

Nesting seams is a technique quilters use to match seams which intersect with another seam. The simplest example that I can think of is a four patch unit. Four squares of fabric all share an intersection. It is desirable to have all four fabrics align at a center point. This alignment must be arranged before sewing and can be secured with the use of pins. My personal choice is fork pins which straddle the seam, securing it on both sides. The same result can be accomplished with two single pins. Have a look at the following tutorial to see the method I used for lining up the center seams of these four patch units.

Two patches waiting to become a four patch.

I've turned the patches over so you can see the seams on the wrong side.

Look how much bulk a seam creates. Imagine sewing this together with both seams pointing in the same direction.

Now that I've turned the seams in opposite directions, the bulk is distributed to either side of the seam.

This is how the seams will look once they are lined up correctly.

This is where the fork pin enters the fabric. Notice how it pierces the fabric on either side of the seam.

Keeping the fork pin erect, it should be pushed through the fabric, exiting 1/4 inch below the entry point.

This patch is now ready for sewing. The fork pin will not be removed when stitching, Instead, the sewing speed will be very very slow, as you walk over the pin to avoid impact with your needle.

The final result. Using fork pins will allow you to create nearly perfect patchwork. Nesting your seams will improve your precision which will show in the points and corners.

Let me know what you think of this week’s Tuesday Tutorial, and I hope you can make it back for next week. Feel free to leave me comment if you have any ideas you would like to see made into a tutorial.

Quilty Hugs,

Bradie

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