If you have been following me on Facebook or Instagram last week, you saw the blocks I have been working on for the last few weeks.
I made 36 of these! The block has 4 black pieces I call the spokes that are made with the stitch and flip method. It’s also referred to as folded corners. The key to success in making these units it to maintain the size and shape of the original piece you are adding the stitch and flip corners to.
You can do stitch and flip on anything that has a 90 degree angle like a square or a rectangle. I was working with black squares here so the following photos will show that.
I started with a 2 1/2″ black square and a tan 1 1/2″ square. Draw a line on the wrong side of the tan square as a guide for stitching:
Next, lay the small square face down and line up its edges with the edges of the bigger black square as shown. I like to pin it in place for stitching so the small square does not shift. Then I stitch on the line.
Now comes the important part. Do not cut off the excess fabric in the seam allowance yet. I like to finger press the small square open and measure the unit to make sure it still measures 2 1/2″.
It still measures correctly! So now I can trim off the excess fabric in the seam allowance and take the unit to the iron for pressing.
You can repeat this step as many times as needed. For my “spoke” I only have a stitch and flip corner on two sides. You can also do this on all for sides or only on opposite sides to make different types of units.
After I’ve measured the finger pressed unit above, I then trim the excess, press the unit and make a final measurement.
Finally, press these and other stitch and flip units carefully. Do not iron! These seams are on the bias and if you iron instead of pressing you can stretch the unit out of shape. Here’s my pressing mini video I did last year:
That’s all there is to it! My blog drawing continues through this week. Share your thoughts on stitch and flip or other interesting techniques in the comments below and be entered in the drawing for a copy of my book!
The drawing will be next Monday, January 27th. We have a winner! Congrats, Toni Anne Potter!
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
Using the stitch and flip method you can create some wonderful blocks! Thanks for the tips, I always learn something from your posts!
Thanks for showing the proper way to stitch and flip. I was stitching, cutting and then flipping and most of the time my finished piece was off. You always have great tips, thanks for the inspiration.
I have used stitch and flip before, but always great to have a refresher on the subject. Thank you!
I have used this method before too and sometimes I don’t come out exactly like I should..what do you do? Leave the back piece on the block so it’s still the size it should be? It’s a good method if you are accurate..
Occasionally, I have done that to make sure my block has the right measurement. As long as in is only off by a tiny amount. Otherwise I start over.
Very helpful reminder on the stitch and flip technique. I’ve also used it for small flying geese pieces.
I use the stitch and flip method too.
If you draw another line 1/2″ from the drawn – corner to corner line; into the area being cut off, sew on this line too & you will have a second half square triangle to use.
Great tip! Then you will have a bunch of HSTs to make another project!
Great and detailed tutorial on the stitch-and-flip technique, Deanne! I love it and your purple cutting mat is so rad!!!
I have used the stitch and flip method before to make a snowball block. Thank you for the great tutorial that served as a wonderful reminder of my beginner days.
I found that pressing the seam open made my blocks much more accurate. Also this is a great technique when doing hand piecing. Easy to stitch on that line and the block turns out beautifully. You can take projects with you, do the stitch and flip corners on the go by hand then do machine joining when you get home. My hand pieced blocks would be pressed to the side. You get a nice soft seam.
Thanks for a great tutorial! You spoke at our quilt guild once and I really enjoyed it.
Greetings from Northern Saskatchewan
I have been doing flip and sew too. If you finger press to the side with the square still attached you rarely have to use a ruler. Take to iron and do a quick press. Then use steam. Still just pressing. If you do it right it will never be distorted. Then use scissors and quickly cut the little back triangles off.
I like the flip and sew blocks and your tips will help me do mine better. I seem to have trouble getting mine to be the right size, and after looking at your photos, I think I now know what I’m doing wrong. Thanks for sharing!!
Your work is lovely! I too have used the stitch and flip method. In fact, in the short amount of time that I have been quilting, it is the method I learned first. I try to stay away from the doing it the old fashion’ way – too risky and this method is easier.
Like the stitch and flip method. Being on the “right side” of the line is critical.
Great tutorial. Tips are good for all levels of quilters. Sometimes we just need reminders to slow down and things correctly for better results.
I’ve never had much luck with the flip method – now I know why. Thanks for your tip on fingerpressing and checking accuracy before cutting. That should solve my problem.
Thanks for the tutorial. I need reminders and help in my quilting.
thanks very helpful
As always, a great tutorial! Thank you!
Not very experienced as a quilter, and have wondered how those centered points were made. Great instrcution, and now I feel confident to try them.
Ah Ha! Your step by step w/pictures finally brought the process into focus for me. And, the reminder to press, not iron, sewn bias seams bears repeating (maybe a sign over my pressing pad). Thanks for the refresh.
After reading and watching you step by step above, I am anxious to try this! What a great idea and it looks fabulous. I am always looking for something new to learn and then create it! Thank you so much!
Thanks for the tutorial. I like the idea of opening up the seams.
Your tips are always so helpful. I’ve used the stitch and flip for a long time. Thanks for sharing. Love your style!!!!!!!
Using the stitch and flip method makes it so easy to get creative.
Oh my, good idea to measure the area over the point (1) (with a ruler). That way you are you’ll sure to have enough seam allowance for the block!!!
Thank you for the tip.