Piecing

Quilter Ruth McDowell and host Alex Anderson show how to complete complicated design elements easily by using traditional machine piecing.

This quilt is from guest Ruth McDowell's Pieced Flowers book.

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Does the mere mention of design elements such as complex curves, inset circles or four-sided insets send you in a different direction? It shouldn't. The secrets are revealed as host Alex Anderson and quilter/author Ruth McDowell take these difficult techniques and show how easy they can be with traditional machine piecing. After a bit of experience, these piecing techniques are quicker and easier than traditional applique.

Gentle to Tight Curve Tips:

The first secret is to know that marking, cutting and pinning are very important.

Figure A

Using "ticks" or dots along a curved pattern pieces will aid in matching up the pieces later.

Clipping the concave edge will help to ease the curved pieces together.

Figure B

Use silk pins when pinning the pieces together and match the dots up carefully.

Figure C

Another secret: the tighter the curve, the more dots, clips and pins needed.

Inset Circle Tips:

Again, mark with dots, clip and pin as done with a tight curve pattern.

These techniques work with circles are perfectly round or an odd shape.

Match up the edges and adjust in the gathers of the fabric when sewing circle insets.

With the clipped piece on top, it's easier to watch out for gathers and tucks that might occur.

Figure E

Inset Corners:

This technique demonstrates the use of angles and corners. Mark the fabric pieces with dots and clip at corners.

It may not be necessary to pin. Match the first two dots and sew to the next dot , stopping with the needle in down position. Pivot fabric, line up the next seam and stitch to the next dot.

Remember to handle the fabric very gently due to bias edges.

Figure F

Inset a Four-Sided Shape:

Mark dots on both pieces at the corners and clip the corners.

Figure G

Place the inset piece on the backside of the cutout piece, matching the dots. Working on the right side of the fabric, lift up one corner to flip out the seam allowance.

Matching the dots, stitch down to the next dot and stop with the needle in down position. Pivot the piece, flip out the seam allowance, and line up the fabric to stitch the next seam.

Figure H

Sewing and Pressing Tips:

Set the stitch with a smaller stitch length and remove pins while sewing. Both hands will need to manipulate the fabric while going around the curve.

It's recommended to use a 1/4" pressure foot.

Here's an inside secret, for sewing machine stability, place a mouse pad under the sewing machine's foot pedal.

The direction the seam allowance is pressed will create different looks. To create a receding appearance, press the seam allowance away from the inset piece.

Figure I

To create an appearance of coming forward, press the seam allowance towards the inset piece. This will pad the edge and give dimension to the inset piece.