5 Seams Used in Quilting
Standard
A standard seam is a sewing line that runs from seam notch to seam notch, running parallel to the edge of the fabrics, a scant 1/4 inch from the edge of the fabric.
Diagonal
Corner Triangles are sewn using a diagonal seam, sewing from seam notch to seam notch using diagonal seam tape or a diagonal seam guide. The excess fabric is trimmed away.
Parallel
Compound shapes are sewn with parallel seams that run through the center of the shape. Each seam is sewn from seam notch to seam notch using a diagonal seam guide that shows through the diamond windows cut in the fabric. The shape is cut between the seams to make 2 pieced units.
Y-seam
When 3 shapes intersect to form a Y, you must use the Y-Seam technique. A Y-Seam is the same as a standard seam but it ends at the y-seam dot (where the 3 shapes meet). To sew a y-seam, sew 1 to 2 stopping at the y-seam dot. Sew 1 to 3 stopping at the y-seam dot. Sew 2 to 3 stopping at the y-seam dot.
1
2
3
3 seams end here
Each shape has a y-seam dot to show where the seams end.
Curved
A curved seam is sewn from end to end just like a standard seam, but the concave curve must be snipped in order to bend the fabric around the convex shape.
