Spinning Centers to Reduce Bulk
| When sewing a block where numerous points meet together, there can be a lot of “bulk” in the seam allowance on the wrong side of the fabric. This extra bulk prohibits the block from lying flat when pressed. One option is to trim the points off, thus reducing the amount of fabric in the seam allowance. Another option is to “spin” the center of the seam allowances, thus distributing the bulk more evenly. 1. Stitch the block as usual nesting seams at any intersection (Photo A). |
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| 2. Before pressing, remove approximately three stitches in the seam allowance from each side of the previously sewn seams (Photo B). |
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| 3. Place the block on a pressing board right side down (Photo C). |
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| 4. With your finger, push the top seam to the right and the bottom seam to the left (Photo D). This will result in the seam allowances spinning in a clockwise direction. |
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| 5. The center will pop open and the seam allowances will swirl around the center of the block. Press with an iron to flatten the seam allowances in place. |
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