How to Quilt>Sewing on the Bias
Sewing on the Bias
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Sewing your bias edges onto a foundation (batting and backing) will help stabilize the patches and keep them in shape.
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Because the bias edge of the fabric has the ability to stretch, sewing on the bias can be somewhat challenging. If the fabric stretches as you sew, your blocks will end up being different sizes, and your finished quilt may be all puckery.
Here are some tips to help keep your patches in shape:
- To keep bias cut pieces from raveling try spray starch. I do this and it works.
(this tip is from newsletter subscriber Loretta Vandiver
- Pin your blocks carefully. Place pins in each end, and several places along the side, lining up the center and all parts between. Then when you sew, watch pretty carefully and gently pull and line up the fabric between the pins.
- Place the bias fabric on the bottom when you sew it on your machine, next to the feed dogs. The feed dogs help pull the fabric in and keep it even.
- Iron freezer paper onto the bias pieces and then sew the pieces together through the freezer paper. Once your seam is sewn, simply tear the freezer paper away from your fabric.
- Staystitch along bias edges to prevent stretching. This is less practical when you are sewing patches, but works well around the outside of a quilt top. By stabilizing the top before you add the borders, your quilt is more likely to be "squared up."
- Use a light-weight stabilizer - this is probably my least favorite, although probably the most reliable. Least favorite because it adds bulk to your quilt, but it does keep those bias edges from stretching.
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com
©2009, Penny Halgren
Penny is a quilter of more than 27 years who seeks to interest new
quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create
beautiful quilts.
This article courtesy of http://www.How-To-Quilt.com.
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