What is a partial seam? Well......it is pretty much like it sounds.....sewing not a full seam, but a partial seam! This allows you to create "spiral" blocks that don't seem to have a beginning or end. It ALSO allows for unique layouts of blocks and of quilts.
I've used partial seams in some of my favorite quilt patterns. Let's take a look!
Monkey Bread has the Bright Hopes block (those little green blocks with blue centers at the top and bottom of the quilt). Bright Hopes is a favorite. I love how it has an infinity effect - no clear beginning or end. All of that is made possible by the Partial Seam! Hint: I'll tell you how to make one in a bit, so you can practice the partial seam for yourself!
After the Rain uses the same partial seam method to stitch up these sweet little blooms. By having a partial seam piecing, the petals swirl around and around the center. Yes, the center is TINY, but I think that is part of the charm!
Spark uses partial seams too! Can you find the block that uses them? That's right! It is the white (and lime) center blocks with the gray sashing!
By now, you may be getting a feel for how a block with a partial seam may look. But wait - you can use the partial seam method for quilt construction and borders too! Use of the partial seam allows for quilt layouts that differ from a standard "block by block, row by row" format.
Compass Points makes use of the partial seam to allow for those partial stars on the sides. Without partial seams, that orientation of the partial stars and the background just wouldn't be possible.
To the Point, one of my guided improv patterns, has a partial seam in it. Trust me - I tried to avoid it (just to keep from scaring quilters), but I just had to in order to make some of those under/over diamonds happen.
Once you understand the partial seam, making a block - or a quilt - that uses it is not intimidating at all! Ready to try a partial seam? Great!
Let's stitch up a Bright Hopes block.
You will need:
(1) 3" purple square
(4) 1 3/4" x 4 1/4" rectangles (I suggest four different colors, or shades of a color)
Place (1) 1 ¾” x 4 ¼” green rectangle, RST, on top of (1) 3” purple square, matching up the raw edges on the right side.
Sew along the long edge of the 1 ¾” x 4 ¼” green rectangle, stopping approximately 1” before the end of the 3” purple square. Back stitch to secure the seam. Press open, away from the purple square.
Place the green print #2 1 ¾” x 4 ¼” rectangle along the edge of the pieced green/purple segment. Stitch along the length of the raw edge. Press open, away from the purple square.
Place the green print #3 1 ¾” x 4 ¼” rectangle along the edge of the pieced segment from the previous step. Stitch along the length of the raw edge. Press open, away from the purple square.
Place the green print #4 1 ¾” x 4 ¼” rectangle along the edge of the pieced segment from the previous step. Stitch along the length of the raw edge, folding the first (partially sewn) green print out of the way. Press open, away from the purple square.
Press the first, partially sewn green rectangle back down flat, so that the seam is exposed. Begin stitching behind the stay stitch, and stitch to the end of the block to complete the first seam.
Press open, away from the purple square. Your Bright Hopes Block should measure 5 ½” square (that's the unfinished size!).
That wasn't so bad, was it? You, my friend, have just stitched a block with a partial seam. Regardless of size or shape, that is how to approach a partial seam - every time.
Head over to Kate's blog to get her insights on the partial seam.
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