Quilts & More - USA (2020 - Summer)

piecin & prein

98 Quilts & More | SUMMER 2020

1. MACHINE
   NEEDLES
   The preferred
   sewing machine
   needle for woven
   cotton fabrics is
   called a sharp. Sizes
   75/11 and 80/12
   are good choices
   for piecing, quilting,
   and binding. Use
   a smaller needle
   (70/10) if you’re
   piecing tightly
   woven batiks and
   a larger needle
   (90/14) for fl annels.
   3. PINNING
   Place pins
   perpendicular to
   edge being sewn.
   When joining
   two pieced units,
   “nest” your seams
   by matching
   seam allowances
   pressed in opposite
   directions. Pin
   so that pieces
   don’t shift. Avoid
   sewing over pins—
   it can damage
   your machine
   and injure you.


2. THREAD
   Match thread fi ber
   to your fabric. For
   piecing and quilting,
   we recommend
   high-quality 100%
   cotton or cotton
   blend threads
   because they leave
   less fuzz, which
   can damage your
   machine over
   time. In general,
   choose 40-weight
   or 50-weight thread
   and use the same
   thread in both the
   bobbin and the top
   of the machine.
   4.^1 ⁄ 4 " SEAM
   Use exact ¼ " seam
   allowances, unless
   otherwise noted,
   so that units match
   up. Be sure to
   frequently test the
   accuracy of your ¼ "
   seam and adjust
   as needed. A ¼ "
   sewing machine
   foot or seam guide
   can help you sew a
   consistent ¼ " seam.


3. STITCHING
   Use a stitch
   length of 10 –12
   stitches per inch
   (2.0-millimeter
   setting). To chain-
   piece, sew several
   units, one after
   the other, without
   trimming thread
   in between. Cut
   connecting threads
   after all pieces
   are sewn. This
   technique saves
   time and thread.

Check out how to test your ¼ " seam

accuracy! AllPeopleQuilt.com/seam

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Back to Basics.indd 98 FINAL 2/26/20 9:03 AM