Stitch and Flip Quilt Technique - Kate Colleran Designs

Welcome to our series Exploring Quilting Basics! Previously, we looked at ways to make the disappearing 4 patch block. Coming up next in our basics lineup is the square within a square technique. Or if you would like to start from the beginning and work through all the topics, you can find them all here.

Hi friends!

Today in the Exploring the Basics series, Tammy and I are talking about the Stitch and Flip Technique.

I think this technique is one many quilters either love or hate! Which are you?

I have 2 tips for you to make this technique one you will be happy to use.

Stitch and Flip – the technique

Let’s start with how to do the stitch and flip technique. The reason to use this technique is it a quick way is to be able to add a triangle to the edge of another unit- maybe a square, maybe a rectangle. And with this technique you don’t have to cut funny shapes or deal with bias.

Instead you cut a square (or a rectangle) which is the same size as the height of whatever unit you are adding it to and draw a diagonal line, corner to corner, on the wrong side of the square.

Note: This is different from how you draw lines for Half Square Triangles.

Place the square on the edge where you want to flip!

Sew on the line, trim the seam to ¼” and press to the piece you just added. Ta-done!

Seems simple, right?

Stitch and Flip Tip #1

One reason quilters may not like this technique is when the piece to be flipped ends up too small.

To help with that, remember to think about what you used to draw your diagonal line. If your pencil mark (or pen- whatever marker type you used) is thick, and you sew on the inside of the mark, your piece may end too small.

This is the reason some quilters don’t cut both lower layers but I think keeping two layers is not necessary and can add bulk.

Plus if the lower layer is darker, it may show through!

Try this instead- once you draw the line, sew to the outside of the line and keep your eye on the corner.

As you get close to the end of the sewing, just aim for the corner!

Stitch and Flip Tip #2

What if your piece ends up too big and your unit isn’t the right size?

Instead of trimming the seam allowance and then pressing the triangle, once you have sewn the two pieces together, start with pressing the triangle you just sewed.

First, is your triangle too small? If yes, then try again! You may need to look at tip #1.

Then turn the unit over. Look to see if you can see any of the triangle fabric peeking around the outer edges of the lower fabric. Trim any little bits sticking out.

If there are big bits showing, well, maybe you need to pull out Jack and sew again!

Then trim your ¼” seam. And press the triangle again. A little extra work but increases accuracy!

This is a popular technique to make Flying Geese Units! Click here to go to my FG post to see other ways.

I used this technique for some of the trees in my Forest Nights quilt.

Bonus Tip!

It’s really important to double check the rotation of the sewing line! You don’t want to end up with the bottom unit when you want top unit!

So do you have any great tips for making the Stitch and Flip units? I am sure Tammy has some great ideas for us! Click here to head on over to her post to see!

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