Four Dazzlers - How I Pin (Yes, It's Excessive)

This is how I pin pieces.  I pin the start and end. When I have an intersection that includes a triangle, I double pin.  I stick a pin in vertically and then put one pin on top and one of bottom of that vertical pin.  This really holds the fabric right where I want it to be.  I then mark with a mechanical pencil a line to make sure I sew exactly where I want to.

Here you can see the line.  Yup, it's tedious, but I do it while listening to TV. 

A beautiful piece cut with the Accuquilt Go.  Gosh did that make it faster to cut and more accurate!

Blocks are getting assembled.

And a finished block!  I love how the blue stands out and the orange sparkles.

Come back Wednesday for more on this project!

I hope you get to quilt today!
Suzy

A Piecing Accuracy Tip

I've confessed this before...I am an overpinner.  I pin a ton.  Yes, I pin the ends of 2 inch squares together.  Why?  Well, that's important to me!  There is a reason.

Here you see my piece going under the presser foot.  Notice the pin at the end.

The value of this pin?  Think sailing for a moment, or any boat for that matter.  The way you turn the rudder or a sailboat, or the engine on a motor boot affects the direction the boat goes.  I use this pin as an engine/rudder for guiding my piece under the needle.  Sometimes at the end of a piece it can veer left or right.  I find this annoying as it really affects accuracy.

Here you can see me maneuvering the pin left and right.  It really helps me guide the piece.

I generally sew until the pin is right under the presser food and then I left the fabric be pulled by the feed dogs into the machine and off of the pin.  In this way I keep complete control of all the stitches all the way to the end of the piece.

Here I still have control of the pin with my finger and the piece is completely sewn.  I now can pick up the pin and put it on the pincushion.

 I hope this tip helps you with accuracy.  Yes, it takes time to pin all the pieces, but it's something I find relaxing to do in front of the TV at night when I'm too tired to do anything else.

I hope you get to quilt today!
Suzy