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These photos are intended to help by showing what I mean when I either write or talk about 'crossing over' the first seams. In this context, the first seam is the sewn curved seam (circular or oval). All first seams must be crossed to guarantee that the points will be sharp! It is essential that the first seams be crossed where ever they are sewn during the construction of the quilt - at the beginning of a seam, during a seam that sews a series of curved pieces together and at the end of a seam. The first photo shows where you would start sewing - starting on the inside of the first seam. It is important that the seam is started to the left of the first seam (slightly wider than a 1/4" seam). The seam that is being sewn will cross the first seam at the 4th or 5th stitch (second photo). |
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The second photo shows the 4th or 5th stitch where the first seam is being crossed. If the first seam is not crossed, there will not be a sharp point when the next seam is sewn. Three stitches is usually a 1/4" seam (the correct seam allowance), by sewing one or two stitches deeper (the 4th or 5th stitch) ensures that a sharp point will remain. In other words, the next sewn seam (1/4" seam allowance) could 'cut off' the point. |
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This series of three photos are intended to help by showing what the position of the seams should be when the half-circles, half-ovals, and clamshells (circular or oval) are sewn, - what they should look like when the seams are finished. For an example of this piecing technique I have used a Clamshell. The first photo shows the completed first seam folded toward the inside or 'center' of the curved piece. The seam from the other side of the clamshell is shown crossing the first seam (with the last 1/4" of fabric underneath - not easily seen). |
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The second photo shows how the second seam will look when it is also folded toward the 'center' of the piece. When the seams are all folded toward the 'center' they will lay flat (no clipping or snipping of the seam allowance will be needed). |
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The third photo shows the sewn piece from the 'front'. There should be a small point (seen at the top of the Clamshell), in fact if the point isn't there, it is not sewn correctly. This point will disappear when the next seam is sewn (1/4" seam allowance) and this next seam is what creates the circular or oval curve. |
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