5 Quilt Piecing Tips for Beginners - Leaf Peepers Quilt Along #1

[@LeahDay]

What is the hardest thing about quilt piecing for you?

[@denisek5208]

Leah Day finding the time.... 😁 which means I generally have to piece a practice seam just to make sure everything is accurate.

[@Kim_post1927]

Leah Day keeping the 1/4 seam straight. I’ve just learned to sew, so it’s frustrating!! LOL

[@jenniewren9351]

Getting my points to match.

[@maryharvey724]

Keeping edges aligned AND intersection alignments!

[@ladywhiskerfield]

The stich charger is brilliant, such a thread saver for all sewing.

[@LeahDay]

Absolutely!

[@HRHDMKYT]

Thanks for these tips, you really are an excellent teacher, Leah. I think the whole "press to one side" custom is to ensure a stronger seam for utilitarian quilts that will get a lot of use and washing... back then, they were all hand-quilted, so that whole issue of being flat for a long-arm machine wasn't an issue. I'd also think that fabric (and thread) wasn't as high quality as it is now, so another reason why it was more important in the past than it is now. I agree with you that pressing seams open makes it flatter and a little easier to match seams and reduce bulk "bumps", and it also helps with darker fabric not showing through to lighter fabric from the front of the pieced top. ~Diana K

[@LeahDay]

Yep, most of the seams pressing issue is based on the past and how quilting was traditionally taught.

[@billallen1594]

Great tips. Thank you Leah

[@HWolfe]

Your fabric prep video helped alot; more pro quilters should empathize the things you point out; that fabric prepping sets the stage for everything else I think. I purchased a walking foot early on before I even could piece good; based on watching your vids on it. I am still shy about messing with altering it right now, as I don't want to trash it til I can get another one. I am not a rich quilter...lol... I thank you alot.

[@LeahDay]

Thank you for watching! Yes, I'm a bit different from other quilters - I'm not all about speed and knocking out a quilt in record time. I think we should take our time and pay attention to every step of the process. I would use your foot as it is right now and modify it only if it's causing you issues in your quilting process.

[@christypoos9728]

As a Cert. educator from both Viking and Singer your are the first UTuber who know how prep your fabric- wash and press with starch or sizing. Love that you press seam open also. Not so much stress on the HDM and less bulk for FMQ. Not use the extra fabric starters. My machines has a very strong feed system, so no neede to add extra fabric in a scrap charger before and after. Try a Topstitch needle, it has a longer eye to prevent skipped stitches and or shredding for newbies.. Well done.

[@LeahDay]

Thank you Christy! I really appreciate your insight. I really like my Universal needles and found trouble with topstitch. It's just one of those things - we have to use whatever works for us and our machines!

[@cc83jc85]

Thanks Leah for all you do. I enjoyed this video as I love ALL the others too! Measuring is what I find tricky, but I must continue to pace myself- and NO rushing! ;-) hugs from Brisbane Australia, Marietta

[@LeahDay]

It's definitely a habit to build. Just take that little bit more time with every seam and it will give you so much insight into what's going on at your machine.

[@denisek5208]

Good morning Leah! I'm excited to get started on the QAL! 😁 bought the pattern last night & will be shopping my fabric stash tonight. Thanks for sharing all of these great tips. 👍

[@LeahDay]

Yay! I'm so glad you're joining in the fun!

[@fionahobbs8818]

Really helpful tips Leah - thankyou!

[@LeahDay]

Than you for watching Fiona!

[@mgs783]

So many good tips! Thank you so much.

[@LeahDay]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed this video!

[@megankane4147]

Hi Leah, I just started to learn how to quilt, the few problems I have is trying to keep the steams straight and trying to sew around a curve on a petal shaped dresden which I found very hard

[@LeahDay]

Yes, Dresdens can be a bit tricky. I have several videos on piecing Dresden plates which you can find here: leahday.com/pages/color-wheel-quilt-block

[@kathleenross7059]

Leah, I like the flatness of pressing my seams open....but I cant seem to get an accurate match. I end up picking stitches out so many times I ruin the fabric....do you have a tip on getting seams to accurately line up.

[@LeahDay]

Yes, I'll be covering matching seams in my video on Block #2. Basically I focus on the seams that really NEED to match in order for the block to look great and I stack them, pin right before the seam allowance, and take the pin out only when I'm 1 stitch away. I do depend heavily on my fabric preparation - if the fabric is stiff and stable, it's not going to misbehave as it's pieced together.

[@jenniferfarsh675]

YAY! That was awesome 💕❤️🤪

[@LeahDay]

Thank you!!!

[@LeahDay]

LOL - I just remembered that's what I said at the end. LOL! I was feeling HAPPY that day!

[@bon47ful]

Thank you for the tips, Leah. thank I purchased the pattern, but now I’m wondering something... The table runner is 24” wide, which is quite large for my table. Would I be able to modify the pattern a bit to make the finished piece, say, 14” wide instead? I realize this would impact the central leaf motif a lot. Just wondering what you think. Thanks again.

[@LeahDay]

It is a bit wide for my table too, but I like quilted table cloths and it can certainly work like that. You can also omit the outer borders and that will take it down to 16 inches wide. I wouldn't try to change the size of the blocks themselves because the pieces and units are so specific - that would make my brain hurt!

[@jessicacook2647]

Do you not use your Janome anymore? I was looking at them because of another video of yours. Does this one really sew as well?

[@LeahDay]

I will be getting back to Janome's very soon! I've just become a dealer and will be sharing new videos on them exclusively as soon as my house is repaired (we flooded in February)

[@marilynbrown5788]

What are your thoughts on a 1/4 inch foot with a guide?

[@LeahDay]

I'm not a big fan because I can't see the side of the foot and can easily stitch with too small of a seam allowance. That's just my personal opinion!

[@Kim_post1927]

Do you pre-wash your precuts like layer cakes and jelly rolls too?

[@LeahDay]

Nope. You can't prewash anything smaller than a fat eight of fabric without it falling apart. So nope, I don't prewash layer cakes or jelly rolls. That's okay, just skip that step, but still STARCH and press because that will still make a big difference!

[@Kim_post1927]

Leah Day So I gather that I shouldn’t wash ANY of the fabric I am using with the pre-cuts?

[@LeahDay]

Personally I wash all fabric that isn't a precut and yes, I do mix washed and unwashed fabric. It's never been an issue. But I starch all of it the same amount so it all "feels" the same. Does that make sense?

[@fabulousmarilyn3.088]

Love to presss my seams open

[@LeahDay]

YAY!