So when I pose the question about pinning,it is with quilting in mind. When do you use pins in the piecing of a quilt top? As a rule I don't pin as I piece. The exception to this is when dealing with "opposing seams" at intersections, and when adding borders.
Opposing seams are when the seam allowances are pushed in opposite directions to create a fabric movement block, therefore, keeping intersections straight and clean. By placing a pin down through the stitching at these seams and not removing until the seam allowance is under the pressure foot, seams will stay put and look great.
Applying Borders Successfully
Borders on the other hand can be quit the challenge. For a very long time, I could not figure out why? when the borders were attached that the waved and pleated during the quilting process. Originally, adding borders, meant stitching borders onto the top starting at one end and after stitching the whole length, trimming the other end even.
OK, experience has taught me, this was a less than appropriate way to attach a border. Why? As you stitch, the feed dogs with stretch, ever so slightly the fabric on the bottom. Very helpful if you need to ease in extra fabric, not so great for keeping fabric flat and even. Knowing all of this, still, in error, borders were applied this way. I even taught that they should be attached that way, in the first class session.
Then, the quilted projects started coming back and it was not pretty. Embarrassed and more than a little befuddled, I went on a "technique" scavenger hunt. Searching magazines, reference books, and asking a lot of quilters, I wanted to know what to do different. The first, suggestion from a sister Honeybee Quilt Guild member, was to measure the length of the side, and cut the border to the same size. This should have been obvious, sorry to say, obliviousness popped into my thought process and a "duh" moment flashed.
Let me say at this point, I had concentrated on perfecting my block piecing, as I built my skills, and borders had seemed to be a no brainer. WRONG. Time to backtrack and concentrate on learning the skill involved in adding borders. Quickly, learning that each step of the quilting process has certain "skills" and knowledge levels. Assuming that block to block construction was the "technical" part, was naive. Humble Pie, in large portions were served to me at this point. Feeling that I had really let down my students, was awful.
Moving on, borders were added that were cut to length in advance. Ready. Then the results. Ugly with a capital Ugly. The first attempts were sewn with out pins. No one mentioned pinning. Why were the borders still stretchy and wavy.? Grrrr. Sometime between my "duh" moment, and new found confidence, the borders were conspiring against me. God works in mysterious way, unfortunately, mystery was the key here. Now again, I was stumped. Back to the research phase.
Frustration, sent me scurrying for answers. After all there were students counting on me. I really was at a loss. Then out of the blue, the answer was right there in front of me. Pin. Pin? are they kidding. No one pins while piecing. Except, those with successful borders.
What I learned.
- Measure the side of the quilt top where the border is being added.
- Cut a strip that length.
- Pin the border to the top starting in the center.
- Second, pin at each end.
- Continue pinning, dividing the area between the pins and center the next pin.
- Pin until the border is stable and sufficiently pinned (every 4 inches or less).
- Stitch, at a slower speed, and carefully.
Enjoy the success of flat, straight borders that will not give you trouble when you quilt it.
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