Yesterday was Day 1 of my stay-cation, and I spent it making 9-patches. A friend (hi Lauri!) had asked for my secrets to perfect points and flat blocks. These tips are really useful with smaller blocks & sections. I'm not sure I'm sharing anything new, but here's some of my favorite tricks passed on by quilters I've met over the years.
1. For alternating 4-patches, 9-patches, 16-patches, I always press to the dark.. That way, when I join sections, I can butt the seams together.
2. Do not pin where seams intersect. Instead, with your seams butted together, pin 1/4" before and 1/4" after the seam intersection. This will prevent a gap where sections join.
3. When you sew rows together, do not press your seams to one side (this causes bulky bumps). Instead, use the spiral method. After sewing, slip your finger into the flap in the back center of the block to gently break the threads apart.
Open your block and press the seam allowance into a spiral. Your block will lay flat.
Eventually, I will piece the alternating blocks together to make a new table runner.
What are your best tricks?
Happy Stitching!
Elisa
What a neat trick, thanks!
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