Spinning those seams
A quick tip here on how to spin the seams in a four patch block. This will work with pinwheels and will also work with nine patch blocks. Why would you want to spin your seams? It helps reduce bulk where all four seams come together…take a peek:
Three seams rotate in the same direction, one goes against the flow!
Most Four Patch blocks are pressed with the two-patch units going to the same fabric, in this case, they are pressed to the dark. The long seam is usually pressed to one side. See Above.
Flip the seam back, the one that is going "against the flow". The stitches should pop apart allowing the center to lay flat.
If the stitches in the seam don’t want to pop, help them along a bit with your seam ripper. See Above.
Play around with it on Nine Patch blocks and Pinwheels. Note that Pinwheel blocks are little more challenging because of all the extra fabric – but really neat and tidy when it’s all done!
Don’t forget to comment – I will be drawing 2 winners for Perkins Dry Goods patterns this week!
Thanks for stopping by….Celine
I love spinning my seams. I think the blocks lay so much flatter. To keep all the seams spinning the same way, always feed the light colored block through the machine first.
Thanks. As others have said, the pictures were quite helpful! I’m always looking for better ways to do my seams…I only started caring about them a little while ago.
I especially like to use this with pinwheels. Helps get rid of the bump in the middle. Thanks for the reminder to use it.
thanks for this tip
I am going to have to try this
I like the idea of having the bulk at the center like that lay nice and flat
I am such a visual learner seeing the pictures helped!
Kathie
I learned this technique from you years ago, and still think of you every time I do it. It works so well, and is really easy. Thanks Celine.
Neat idea. I need to try it.
Your pictures do a great job of demonstrating your words. Isn’t the internet wonderful. Love reading your blog,
Kathie L in Allentown
Have done this long time ago. Good to have reminder and pictures to go with it. Thank you.
It’s always good to see things like this – I have a hard time visualizing! Thanks!
Thanks for the info… I working on a zig zag quilt and just getting to the point of starting to contemplate pressing directions…good thoughts!
I had heard of this tip, but didn’t really ‘get it’. You’re photos and directions made so much more sense. Thanks!!
It’s good to have a picture to go along with written directions. Thanks for the tip!
I have heard about doing this but have never actually seen it done. Thanks for blogging it.
I’m going to try this with my next nine patch – great tip!
What a great idea and the pics really helped me to see what you are referring to. Thanks for the tip!
I just learned this tip a couple of weeks ago. I am making lots of pinwheel blocks for a baby quilt and this is working great….
THis was nice to have pictures of to see what you were talking about. I’ve done the spinning centers when working with kaleidoscope blocks, but not four patches…I think I’ll try this out from now on and see if it makes a difference.
I like anything that is a 4 patch or 9 patch type block and you are so right if you make a snip and get your seams spinning it does reduce the bulk and they lay so much flatter. Thanks for the tips and the drawing.