Y-Seam Trick And Treats

A Y-Seam is created when three seams converge. They are found in compass blocks and tumbling blocks. Lone Star is a famous quilt pattern featuring Y-Seams. Anything with a diamond shaped patch has Y-Seams. Traditional hexagon construction is also a Y-Seam.

Many quilters avoid Y-Seams. Because they are scary? Or too time consuming? Not any more. Here are four TRICKS for simplifying Y-Seams so you can TREAT yourself to all those great diamond patch patterns.

1) Save time by only marking 1/3 of the patches. Pick one diamond piece for marking 1/4" seam crossings at the diamond points, The adjoining diamond and/or square don't need their own markings.

2) Do use reverse stitching. Because Y-Seams meet instead of crossing, it helps to anchor seams with reverse stitch. However, you must stop stitching exactly on the corner cross-marks. If your machine can’t accurately stop in reverse mode, then use a shorter stitch as the next best compromise.

3) To stitch the 3rd seam, fold the center piece in half. Then stitch from the center out. (Don't try to stitch the Y-Seam by pivoting in the center of the 3rd patch.)

4) Don't press every seam. No need to press Y-Seams until your project is complete, or until your pattern calls for a nested seam. Sine Y-Seams radiate instead of cross, you can save time by skipping this regular piecing step.