The Secret to making blocks that require
Set-in-Seams (3 seams that form a Y) is to
start & stop sewing exactly where the seam lines cross.
Precise Set-In-Seams
See How To Make Hexagons:
First, mark seam lines accurately with the Prep-Tool:
You can mark the whole seam line
Or, mark just where they cross in the corners.
The Prep-Tool is a Scant ¼” wide and it has raised Lip Edges that catch the edge of your fabric. Butt the Lip Edges up to the edge of your fabric and you can easily mark the exact point where your seam lines will cross every time.
Then, sew right where your seam lines cross:
Start and stop sewing right where
your seam lines cross
Be sure to back stitch or lock stitch
each time you start and stop
When you are sewing just two pieces together, which is the most common thing when piecing, you can sew all the way from one edge to the other.
But many blocks with diamonds and hexagons require a different technique because you'll often be sewing a third piece, set-in, between two others.
For example, each block in a Tumbling blocks quilt is made of three diamonds.
After sewing the first two diamonds together, the third diamond has to be set-in between and sewn to both the first and second diamond.
If you look at the seams from the back when finished, you’ll see that the three seams form a Y.
That’s why set-in seams are also sometime called Y-Seams.
For a Y-Seam or Set-in-Seam, you have to start and stop right at the seam line. If you sew too far, you’ll be reaching for your seam ripper because that will create a pucker that will never press flat.
If you don’t sew far enough, you’ll have a hole where the three seams come together.
The Secret to making blocks that require Set-in-Seams (3 seams that form a Y) is to start and stop sewing exactly where the seam lines cross.
See How To Make Hexagons:
First, mark seam lines accurately with the Prep-Tool:
The Prep-Tool is a Scant ¼” wide and has raised Lip Edges that catch the edge of your fabric. Butt the Lip Edges up to the edge of your fabric and you can easily mark the exact point where your seam lines will cross every time.
You can mark the whole seam line
Or, mark just where they cross in the corners.
Then, start and stop sewing right where your seam lines cross
Be sure to back stitch or lock stitch
each time you start and stop
When you are sewing just two pieces together, which is the most common thing when piecing, you can sew all the way from one edge to the other.
But many blocks with diamonds and hexagons require a different technique because you'll often be sewing a third piece, set-in, between two others.
For example, each block in a Tumbling blocks quilt is made of three diamonds.
After sewing the first two diamonds together, the third diamond has to be set-in between and sewn to both the first and second diamond.
If you look at the seams from the back when finished, you’ll see that the three seams form a Y.
That’s why set-in seams are also sometime called Y-Seams.
For a Y-Seam or Set-in-Seam, you have to start and stop right at the seam line. If you sew too far, you’ll be reaching for your seam ripper because that will create a pucker that will never press flat.
If you don’t sew far enough, you’ll have a hole where the three seams come together.
The Prep-Tool includes an eight-page instruction booklet that you can download to view or print.
Replacement 6-Packs of Seam Guides are available separately. Click here to get a pack.
Sold out
The Prep-Tool includes an eight-page instruction booklet that you can download to view or print.
Replacement 6-Packs of Seam Guides are available separately. Click here to get a pack.
Square up the super easy way,
cut & sew accurately:
Perfect4Pattern Set that includes 1, 2 or 3 Guidelines Ruler(s).
Perfect4Pattern Set for regular acrylic rulers you already have.
Make Blocks Any Size
No Math!
Sew Accurately:
Square up the super easy way,
cut & sew accurately:
Make Blocks Any Size
No Math!
Prep-Tool with
8-page booklet
Sold out
Bohin Pencils
w/ Refills
Sold out
Check the Accuracy of Your Scant 1/4" Seam Allowances.
Line the lip edges up to the edge of the pieces of fabric you've sewn together.
You should see the line of stitching right along the inner edge of the Prep-Tool.
Check the Accuracy of Your Scant 1/4" Seam Allowances.
Line the lip edges up to the edge of the pieces of fabric you've sewn together.
You should see the line of stitching right along the inner edge of the Prep-Tool.
Quilts Made Using Prep-Tool by Guidelines4Quilting
Bonnie Beaty - CA Road to California Contest Entrant
"It was such a wonderful experience for me to take the leap and enter this quilt at Road. I am fairly new to quilting and to have my quilt accepted was quite an honor. This quilt truly stretched my quilting abilities and improved my confidence greatly.
I used a few of the tools offered by Guidelines4Quilting. I used the Guideline Rulers to cut the strips. I really like the ability of butting the ruler up to the fabric and knowing that it is straight and square.
I used the Prep-Tool to prepare the triangles. The Prep-Tool really does make for more accuracy when sewing triangles together and I needed accuracy on the triangle units of this quilt. Triangles have always been a bit of a challenge for me, so having tools that make it easier and actually work is great.
I tell everyone about Guidelines Rulers and at a recent quilt retreat I gave a demo on the Rulers, Prep-Tool and Grip Strips. I have the Grip Strips on almost all my rulers and just ordered another two packages for the rest of them. Thanks for the great products.”
This beautiful Lemoyne Star quilt was made by Sharon Vervoort of California and it was accepted into Road to California. It's the first quilt she had ever entered in a contest and it took third place.
She says one of her secrets to win this award was using the Prep-Tool to mark the seam intersections for the precise Set-in-Seams on the Lemoyne stars. Congrats, Sharon!
Quilts Made Using Prep-Tool by Guidelines4Quilting
Bonnie Beaty - CA Road to California Contest Entrant
"It was such a wonderful experience for me to take the leap and enter this quilt at Road. I am fairly new to quilting and to have my quilt accepted was quite an honor. This quilt truly stretched my quilting abilities and improved my confidence greatly.
I used a few of the tools offered by Guidelines4Quilting. I used the Guideline Rulers to cut the strips. I really like the ability of butting the ruler up to the fabric and knowing that it is straight and square.
I used the Prep-Tool to prepare the triangles. The Prep-Tool really does make for more accuracy when sewing triangles together and I needed accuracy on the triangle units of this quilt. Triangles have always been a bit of a challenge for me, so having tools that make it easier and actually work is great.
I tell everyone about Guidelines Rulers and at a recent quilt retreat I gave a demo on the Rulers, Prep-Tool and Grip Strips. I have the Grip Strips on almost all my rulers and just ordered another two packages for the rest of them. Thanks for the great products.”
This beautiful Lemoyne Star quilt was made by Sharon Vervoort of California and it was accepted into Road to California. It's the first quilt she had ever entered in a contest and it took third place.
She says one of her secrets to win this award was using the Prep-Tool to mark the seam intersections for the precise Set-in-Seams on the Lemoyne stars. Congrats, Sharon!
