Piecing
After your quilt pieces are cut, the next step is to put them together. When you piece a quilt top, the first thing you have to know is that the pieces that go together all have to be the same size. Pieces are sewn together to make blocks which are your basic components and blocks get combined to make rows. After that, row 1 is sewn to row 2 and so on.
Piecing tips
1. Press your fabrics before cutting.
Pressing your fabric before cutting makes a huge difference in your piecing accuracy. It's best to remove any wrinkles or small creases that may be in the fabric.
2. Be accurate in your measuring and cutting. See my tutorial on cutting.
Without good accuracy in your measuring and cutting, your piecing will not be accurate from the start and your quilt block will not line up properly.
3. Press your seams.
When you iron the seams in your quilt block, press them - do not iron them. Pressing your seams means moving your iron up and down applying even pressure. When you need to move your iron to another seam, don't slide it - pick it up and move it. Sliding the iron can result in seams being stretched.
4. Make a test block - practise!
It's great to practise and make a test block to ensure accuracy in your piecing. This allows you to overcome any problems you might have with the pattern and also improve your skills at the same time.
5. Sew with an accurate 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Note: you can use great tools that are readily available from quilting stockists to help you get that 1/4 inch accurate seam allowance - 1/4 inch Seam tape, a 1/4 inch ruler, 1/4 inch foot for your sewing machine and you can also use a seam guide. After you have established where the 1/4 inch is on your sewing machine, make sure that you use this as a mark consistently throughout your piecing.
It is also good to use a scrap piece of fabric at the beginning of every seam as this helps to ensure the stitching starts smoothly and maintains the accuracy of the 1/4 seam. This also stops the needle from pushing a small corner of fabric into the bobbin area and causing a jam.
6. Use a good thread e.g Aurifil 50 weight thread.
Note: the higher the number - the thinner the thread.
7. Read your pattern instructions carefully
Reading your pattern carefully from beginning to end before starting to cut your fabric or sew can prevent a lot of problems.
8. Trim when needed.
If needed, trim your quilt block down to size after it has been pieced. If the width or height of your block is not accurate, then trim and square up at the end.