Y-seams are one of those techniques that a lot of quilters are wary of! But have no fear! It’s really not that hard and I’m going to walk you through it!
I’m working with hexagon blocks from the “Tumble” quilt pattern that can be found in my book, “Modern Day Quilter“.
Below, you’ll find two tutorial options: a youtube video tutorial (about 9-10min) and step-by-step picture tutorial with descriptions. Pick your poison and go forth with confidence!
Tools for the Technique
First, let’s make sure that you are well prepared! Here are some tools to help make life a bit easier when making a hexagon quilt:
- Hexagon Templates – These templates are non-slip pads on the back and easy marking holes on each corner!
- Marking Pencil – I love this pencil! It is like a chalk mechanical pencil! It has three color chalk options to choose depending on the color of your fabric.
- Small Ruler – Creative Grid’s rulers are my favorite! They have a non-slip texture on the back so that you can make marks and cuts confidently! If you don’t have a hexagon template with marking spots, you can use a ruler like this (as shown in the tutorials below).
Y-Seam Video Tutorial
This is a 9-10 minute youtube video on how to sew Y-seams with hexagons. Even though this tutorial is for hexagons, the technique is the same for all Y-seam construction. If you prefer to follow along with the photo tutorial, keep scrolling!
Y-Seam picture tutorial
step one: cut and mark hexagons
The first step is to cut out your hexagons! Like I said before, mine are pieced and part of the “Tumble” quilt pattern that can be found in my book, “Modern Day Quilter“. Once you have your hexagons, it’s time to mark your corners. If you purchased a template that has marking holes- you can use that. If not, you’ll use a straight ruler.
Align your ruler with 1/4″ overlapped on one edge of your hexagon. Mark a line on either end of the ruler on the hexagon about where you think it will intersect the 1/4″ seam on the adjacent edges. Then turn the hexagon and do the same thing on each edge. When you are done, you’ll end up with small X’s in each corner.
Step Two: sew hexagons into rows
Arrange your hexagons into rows. Sew these rows together by placing the hexagons RST (right sides together) and sewing in between the corner markings. Be sure to sew all the way to the center of the X and backstitch at the beginning and end of the segment. Do not sew passed the center of the X or marked spot.
Once you have sewn the rows together, you’ll see a zig zagging gap between your rows that now needs to be sewn together.
Step Three: the y-seam
This is where pictures might not be sufficient for explanation! So, if you need to refer to the youtube video for reference, it might help!
You first need to identify the first section that needs to be sewn. You will be sewing each line individually and not continuously. Once you have identified which two edges will be sewn together first, lay them RST and sewn from mark to mark (remember to back stitch at the beginning and end of each sewn line).
Continue identifying the next two edges to sewn together and sewing down the two rows. Don’t worry about pressing seams as you go. That will be done at the end! Just get into a groove and “just keep sewing”.
When you are all done and ready to press the seams, my tip is to just “follow direction of the last seam”. No two seams should be facing each other. Always facing in the same direction. You can look at the photo below (or again refer to the video) to see a close up of what I’m talking about.
Each Y-seam will create a beautiful little “pinwheel”. It’s super satisfying!
I hope this was helpful and that you can feel comfortable and confident to try Y-seams for yourself! You don’t even really need a pattern to try it! As long as all the hexagons are the same size- you can go crazy and cut out as many as you want!
This would be a super great scrappy quilt!
