Pages Wednesday, 24 October 2012 Tutorial: The 'Not So Dreadful' Y Seam My partner this month in the Quilting Block Swaps Australia group that I am in asked me to make a 'spool' block.  Since this block, when pieced traditionally, contains 'Y' seams it seemed like a good opportunity to write a tutorial on the process.  As the blocks needed for the swap are 12" finished the dimensions in this block are large and make the 'Y' seam process a little easier if you are only just tackling this technique for the first time.  But don't be scared - they really aren't that dreadful - just take your time and don't skip any steps! Firstly, what is a 'Y' seam.  It can most easily be explained as when three seams meet and visually produce a 'Y' shape.  This generally means there is an angle involved - the size of which depends on whether, and how many, fabric pieces are cut straight or with an angle.  For the process this doesn't really matter as the steps remain the same. So, lets get on with it! Fabric Requirements for the 'thread' (striped fabric in my photo):       one 6 1/2" square for the 'spool' (brown in my photo)                      two  13 1/4" x 3 1/2" rectangles for the 'setting' (white in my photo)                     two  13 1/4" x 3 1/2" rectangles Cutting We need to cut all the white and brown fabric rectangles into trapezoids. 1.     Fold in half by bringing the two short sides