Perfectly Flat Quilt Blocks: Learn How to Spin the Seam!
Ever felt the frustration of bulky quilt block intersections that just won’t lie flat? Fear not, fellow quilter! The solution is here, and it’s as fun as it sounds: spinning your seams. Yes, you read that right—spinning! Let’s dive in and learn how to give your seams a twirl.
What Is Seam Spinning?
Seam spinning involves pressing seam allowances around a central point. This technique is particularly useful in blocks like four-patches or nine-patches, where multiple seams converge at a single point. By spinning the seams, you minimize bulk and achieve a flatter block.
How to Spin Your Seams
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Construct Your Block: Sew your block components together as usual. For example, in a four-patch block, join two pairs of squares to create two rectangles, then sew these rectangles together to form the block.
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Press Initial Seams: Press the seams of each pair to opposite sides. This ensures that when you join them, the seams will nest together, creating a precise intersection.
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Join the Pairs: Sew the two pairs together, aligning the nested seams carefully.
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Unpick a Few Stitches: On the back of the block, identify the center where the seams intersect. Using a seam ripper, gently unpick the few stitches within the seam allowance (not extending into the block itself) on both sides of the central seam.
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Press the Center Seam: By unpicking these stitches, you'll be able to press the seam allowances in a circular motion around the center point. This creates a small four-patch or pinwheel effect in the seam allowances.
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Final Press: Press the entire block flat, ensuring all seam allowances are lying smoothly in their respective directions.
For a visual demonstration of this technique, you can watch our tutorial below:
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