The WWQP How-To's
How to Piece Quilt Blocks
Hand Piecing
Hand piecing doesn't require many additional accessories; thread, thimble, needles, scissors, and fabric are about all that is necessary to begin hand piecing. Hand piecing is also very portable, all of the supplies can be carried in a small sewing bag. New quilters may feel more confident when piecing a complicated patterns with many points that need matching.
Supplies for Hand Piecing
- Needles
- Thread
- Scissors
- Templates
Beginning to Hand Piece
Making the Templates
Cutting & Marking Pieces
Machine Piecing
Supplies for Machine Piecing
- Sewing Machine
- Any sewing machine that is capable of producing a straight stitch can be used for quilt piecing.
- Needles
- Thread
- 1/4" Presser Foot - optional
The "Scant" Quarter Inch Seam Allowance
When machine piecing a quilt block it is important to use a seam allowance slightly less than 1/4. This is because a slight amount of fabric is take up in the fold when the seam is pressed to one side. One sixteenth of an inch won't cause to much distortion when there's only one seam in a block, but if there are four seams, the completed block will be off by 1/4"!!
It is especially important to use the scant 1/4" seam allowance when using rotary cut strips and pieces. The rotary cutter is very accurate and doesn't leave a bit more fabric as cutting fabric with scissors does.
Chain Piecing
Y Seams
Curves
© 1994-1998 Susan E Traudt
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How-To's