AboutConnie Hester Expertise Quilting and applique expert.Can advise on the following topics:quilting, art quilts, quilt design and construction, machine and hand quilting, paper foundation piecing, machine piecing, hand piecing, raw edge applique, turned-edge applique and fiber art.
Experience Winning awards in international fiber and art competitions since 1983; http://www.conniehester.com/
BS,MS
See my work and books at http://www.conniehester.com/
Question I've just joined a 'block of the month' club and am working on my first quilt - and first block! I'm about to start sewing and didn't know what 'seam width' is standard for quilting (if any). The standard 5/8" seam seems too big for the small blocks. I can call the store on Monday but wanted to work this weekend on the project. If you can shed any light that would be appreciated!
Thanks-
Sandy
Answer Hi, Sandy,
Standard seam allowances are 1/4". They are routinely pressed to one side, pressing to the side which has the darker fabric (to avoid the seam allowance showing through a lighter fabric, as viewed from the front of the quilt). Seam allowances are not pressed "open" because this would allow batting to creep through to the face of the quilt.
It also helps in matching seamlines from one row to the next by pressing all seam allowances on one row to the right (for example) and all seam allowances on the next row to the left. That way, when the 2 rows of blocks are joined together, their seam allowances will nestle together and assist in keeping the seamlines lined-up from one row to the next.
