Now I was under the impression I could stitch an accurate quarter inch seam. Boy was I surprised when I started pressing my blocks. They all looked like they were swaying in and out.
I used the log cabin die for my Go cutter so I couldn’t blame the crooked sections on my cutting.
I am making this zig zag quilt to fit a queen sized bed. With 100 blocks sewn it turns out to be 80 inches square. Since I don’t have anymore of the colored fabric I was considering adding a border of some sort.
Any suggestions on how to do this without it looking like I just stuck on a border to make the quilt larger?
I use a seam guide screwed into the bed of my machine. Does it help only if I pay attention and guide the fabric against it. It is frustrating. Keep going it will all work out. Chris
ReplyDeleteOh welcome to my world--I am always having 1/4" seam allowance issues..no matter what I stick on my machine or how I move my needle position it seems (hah)! Don't worry over it--just sew blocks in rows and trim at the end--I keep telling myself this is supposed to be "fun" not a test..I think your quilt will be gorgeous--what about a B/W small pattern?? Just a thought hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI used to stitch a 1/4" seam fairly accurately using a 1/4" sewing foot on the machine. Nowadays, I end up with blocks like you describe. I blame it on getting older. I have slowed down the machine speed and am doing better but still not as good as I want.
ReplyDeleteI would consider a white border that will show off amazing quilting and it would look like the drop was planned that way.
ReplyDeleteNo advice only admiration - I think your blocks look beautiful. For borders I just audition and audition until something feels right.
ReplyDeleteI am working on a log cabin too! I had to wait till I understood the importance of accuracy as it is not as simple as what one might think! I love making them!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you could find a fabric for the border that contains all the colors that are in the log cabin blocks? Maybe a floral - or geometric - or stripe? It sure is a pretty quilt!
ReplyDeleteA tip I learned recently is to cut your strips lengthwise of the grain and not crosswise. It helps to stabilize your strips as you sew them. Maybe that will help?
ReplyDeleteKathy V
I agree with Sharon - continue with the background white - fabulous feathers. Maybe a rainbow pieced binding with the colors in the blocks? It always amazes me how each machine sews a different 1/4" - on my Bernina I move the needle position 1 dot to the right & use my 1/4" foot with the side guide. One thing I found after piecing many log cabins is that there is a tendency to drift off at the end when adding a log. That is where I find a foot with side guide is good.
ReplyDeleteOne of the many projects I have going is "ThE Honey Flow" by Kery Stitch designs. It is bright colored hexies with a black and white border. It has the same feel as your fabulous log cabins. What do you think of a black and white border?
ReplyDeleteHow do you like that die? I've been considering getting that one.
Love your log cabin blocks. It can be tricky making them end up the desired size, which is why mine is very incomplete and hiding in a box somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI like Gayle's suggestion for the border--maybe even a batik that has those beautiful colors.
Agree with Sharon - white border. As for the seam issue, perhaps it's a pressing issue and not your sewing at all. Often we tend to press the **** out of a pieced unit where we really just need to set it by touching up and down with the iron or not even doing that - just finger press until the whole lot is pieced in to one block.Yes, lengthwise cuts have more stability than cross wise cuts but when working with scraps not always an option. Your quilt is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI know although one works as accurately as possible, the result often is not quite as desired with those quart inch seams... But your blocks look wonderful, and I know the result will be stunning! I also agree with Sharon that a white border with lovely quiltwork would work great, and if not, a white border with some hexagonflowers in the same colors as the log cabin blocks.
ReplyDeleteMove a couple of the width blocks to the length so its not a square.... Then add white border with multi color quilting design.... you could even "quilt in the pattern of log cabin so it continues the "theme.
ReplyDeleteMy seams are definitely not perfect. Luckily I can make it work well enough to put something together I can live with! Your quilt is looking wonderful.:)
ReplyDelete