Rainbow Machine Cover – Tutorial 3 – Sewing the Squares

How exciting!  Our squares are all trimmed so Let’s Sew Along!!  🙂

NOTE:  This is not the only way to do this but it is the way I have chosen to: explain; demonstrate; and keep it simple.  If you prefer to follow a different method, that’s fine!  Enjoy!!

1.  SEW – Take your board with squares laid out to the machine.  Start with the two left hand rows and take the first square from each row.  Using a 1/4″ seam, sew them together but don’t remove them from the machine. Instead, take the next two and continue sewing – keep doing this to the end of the rows.  This is called ‘Chain Piecing’ and it is a great technique – time saving, cotton saving and a huge help in remembering what goes where!!

While holding the seam joins together, place the pieces in the machine and sew.  Keep your finger on the seam join so that the lock is in place as it enters the needle area.

Take the next two and chain and then the next two.  You will have one left over.

5.  PRESS – Press as  before to set the seam and when you open it out, you will see that your seams match!!  No pinning required! (Please give it a try but if you feel you need to pin, then of course that is up to you)

If they are a little bit out, you have two choices – Don’t worry about it OR unpick and redo!  Like anything, you will get better as you go but, if it’s any help, I won’t be undoing any of mine! ( I’m not putting the cover in a competition or anything and you won’t notice little differences in the overall effect!)

NOTE:  I am referring to a mismatch of a stitch width – it is important to keep your edges matching and of course, it is preferable to have your joins precise, as it is this precision that will result in your finished project sitting flat and looking its best!!

Now, before we start on the next rows, we need to take care of the double colours in the green row and the pink row. (remember – we are matching the colour chart)  Take the two greens and two pinks and sew together, press and open.

7.  REPEAT – Now repeat the chain piecing for the next two rows.  For the last row, sew the first 2 and so on up the row. How are your seam ‘locks’ going – getting better?

8.  ACROSS – Now work across the chart.  Take the 4 patch on the left and join it to the green/blue one to it’s right and then add the purple.  Continue doing this as you work your way up the chart.