Jan 154 min read

Diagonal Seam Tape | The Ultimate Time-Saving Tool for Quilting and Sewing

I am excited to share one of my favorite quilting notions, Diagonal Seam Tape, created by Alison from Cluck Cluck Sew. The real value of this quilting notion is that it eliminates the need to mark your fabric before sewing on the diagonal or creating half-square triangles, flying geese, and snowball corners. I once heard that everyone has a limited amount of patience, and this limit varies from person to person. If you knew me from my childhood or young adult days, being a patient person would not be an adjective to describe me. However, Quilting has improved that skill dramatically, and diagonal seam tape seems like a little gift for all my hard work! I can sew away without the endless hours of marking. Yay!!!

Applying the tape

Every machine varies, so you may have to play around with your tape to get the most accurate setup possible. I found that aligning my sewing needle with the center red line and using my ¼" foot worked the best for my Bernina 790 Plus. When I initially applied the tape, my seams were inaccurate. That's when I realized the ¼" markings on my stitch plate did not align with those on my sewing tray. I started aligning it with my sewing needle.

Note: I recommend using scrap fabric while you get used to sewing with your tape. Then, move to your project.

Unroll a little tape and cut the end to make a straight edge. Next, align the center red line with your sewing needle and stick the tape in place. You can eyeball this or use a ruler. You can use your stitch plate if it has accurate ¼" markings that align with your tape—if they don't, continue using the sewing needle and center line as a guide.

Continue unrolling your tape with your eye on the needle and extend it down the end of your sewing tray.

Using your ¼" foot with your needle down and foot up, align your ruler's edge with the needle and run the ruler down your tray following the tape lines. Check your accuracy. Your ruler edge should be aligned with the center red line and your presser foot with the ¼" measurement line. If it's not aligned, move your tape until you get the correct position.

And voila, you are all set up for stitching!

Continuous Binding

Piecing your binding strips together on the diagonal with the diagonal seam tape is so fun.

Making the strips is no different, but now there is no need to mark.

Lay your first strip right side up like usual, and lay the second strip perpendicularly to the first with the right sides together.

Align the top intersection with your sewing needle and the bottom with the center red line.

Start sewing, focus on the bottom intersection, and follow the center red line the entire time you are sewing.

Check your work, then chain piece away in this same manner.

Tip: You may run out of tape to follow as you sew. Maintain the correct stitch path by focusing on the intersection or the bottom corner the entire time. This works for all stitching. If you watch your needle while sewing, you will get off track. However, if you keep your eye on the correct spot, your needle will follow.

Snowball Corners

With the right sides together, lay your larger piece on the bottom and your smaller square on top, aligned with a corner. Angle the top point with the needle and the bottom corner with the center red line, and sew.

Keep your eye on the bottom corner and center red line the entire time you sew.

Check your work before you chain piece.

Half Square Triangles

With your two squares' right sides together, align the top left corner with the left black ¼" line and the bottom corner on that same line.

Slide your square up to your needle, ensuring the top point is aligned with the edge of your ¼" foot and the bottom point on the left black ¼" line. Sew.

Keep your eye on the bottom corner and follow the black line the entire time you sew.

Check your work.

Now, rotate your block and follow the same method.

Check your seam before you chain piece. The width between the two stitch lines should measure ½".

Flying Geese 4 at a Time

With the right sides together, lay your larger square on the bottom and one smaller square in the top left corner, and pin it in place. Lay your second smaller square in the bottom right corner and pin it in place. Angle the top left corner on the left black ¼" line and the bottom corner on that same line. Slide your square up to your needle, ensuring the top point is aligned with the edge of your ¼" foot and the bottom on the left black ¼" line.

Sew. Keep your eye on the bottom corner and follow the black line the entire time.

Now, rotate your block and follow the same method.

Check your seam before you chain piece. Between the two stitch lines should measure ½". Rotary or scissors cut between the stitch lines and press.

With the right sides together, lay your pieced block on the bottom and your third smaller block in the bottom left corner, and pin it in place. You will begin sewing where the smaller top square and bottom fabric intersect on the right-hand side. Bring that intersection to your needle and lower your needle into your fabric pieces at that 90° point. This will secure your fabric. Align the bottom point on the left ¼" line. Sew.

Keep your eye on the bottom corner and follow the left black line the entire time.

Bring the left side to the 90° intersection and lower your needle into your pieces to secure the fabric. Align the bottom corner on the right ¼" line. Sew.