Have you ever struggled with getting seams to line up perfectly in your foundation paper piecing (FPP) projects? We’ve all been there! Today I’m sharing a simple technique called Positioning Pinning that revolutionized my quilting life. This technique is a perfect for ensuring precise seam alignment, not just in FPP but in any quilting project.
What is Positioning Pinning?
It’s a clever trick using a super-thin pin to “lock” your seams together before sewing. This ensures that they stay perfectly aligned once you stitch them up.
How to Use Positioning Pinning to match seams while piecing quilts:
(The video above walks you through all of these steps!)
1. Find Your Seams.
Locate the two seams you want to match up perfectly.
2. Put the Pieces Together.
Place the pieces right sides together.
3. Insert the Positioning Pin:
Carefully stick a thin pin through the paper and fabric on the first seam, entering through the back of the block. It may take a couple of tries to get it exactly on the seam. This positioning pin acts a guide.
Important Tip: To get the most accurate and precise results, you want to use the thinnest pin you can find that doesn’t bend easily. All pins are relatively thin, but some are thinner than others. The thinner the pin, the more precise you can be and the better the results will be. My favorite pins to use are Iris Superfine Pins because they are not only super thin, but they don’t bend easily, allowing me to be very accurate.
4. Slide the positioning pin through the second seam you want to align.
You’ll be inserting through the front of the block this time. Once you have the pin through the areas you want to align, make sure it is sticking out perfectly straight or perpendicular to the pieces you are joining. If the pin is leaning to the side, the seams may not be perfectly matched up.
5. With the positioning pin is in place, secure the two pieces with additional pins.
Pin through both pieces, using two pins, on either sides of the positioning pin. This will lock the seams in place, ensuring that the pieces don’t shift while you’re sewing. Again, I like to use the Iris Superfine pins for securing my pieces together. The thinner the pin, the less space it will take up in your fabric, making your sewing more accurate. Some people like to use fork pins (a double -pronged pin) instead so that they don’t have to take the time to insert 2 pins but I find that my alignments are generally more accurate if I use 2 super thin pins instead.
6. SUPER IMPORTANT: Remove the Positioning Pin!
Before sewing, make sure to remove the positioning pin. If you forget, it might get caught in your sewing machine!
7. Sew Away.
Now you can sew along the marked seam line or with a ¼” seam allowance.
Tips for Success:
- Use Super Thin Pins: The thinner the pin, the more precise your alignment will be.
- Pin on Both Sides: For extra security, put pins on both sides of the seam you want to align.
- Practice Makes Perfect: The more you use this technique, the better you’ll get at it.
Links to Foundation Paper Piecing Products I love and use:
• Iris Superfine Pins (my favorite pins for getting precise alignments):
• Pacon Newsprint (my favorite paper for paper piecing)
• Add-A-Quarter Ruler (my favorite way to trim)
• Aurifil 50wt thread (my favorite thread to FPP with)
Positioning pinning can be a game-changer for quilters who want precise and professional-looking results. Give it a try in your next FPP project and see the difference it makes!