Core skills

Pivoting at a Corner

How to turn a corner while the needle stays in the fabric so the stitching makes a neat, sharp angle.

Beginner15 minMachine

What you will learn

Draw a 1/2 in (12 mm) seam line around the edges of the top square on the wrong side. Place the squares right sides together and pin.

Start sewing on one side of the marked line and sew toward the first corner.
Slow down 1/2 in (12 mm) before the corner. Look at the marked point where the lines cross.
Stop at the corner with the needle down in the fabric. If your machine stops with the needle up, turn the handwheel toward you to lower it.
Raise the presser foot. The needle stays in the fabric and works like a hinge.
Turn the fabric 90 degrees around the needle until the next edge lines up with the guide.
Lower the presser foot and sew along the next side.
Repeat at each corner. Some machines have a needle-down option that keeps the needle in the fabric when you stop.
Open the work and check each corner is square, with no loop of thread or puckers.

For a sharper corner on the right side, take one stitch diagonally across the corner and trim the corner point before turning.
Turn the handwheel to place the last stitch right at the marked corner.

The corner is rounded or has a small loop.

The needle was up when you turned. Stop with the needle down.

The fabric bunches at the corner.

You pulled the fabric while turning. Lift the foot fully and let the fabric rotate freely.

Safety and fabric care

Keep fingers away from the needle when turning. Keep your foot off the pedal while you raise the presser foot.

Practice exerciseSew a 4 in (10 cm) square, pivoting at each corner, then a second one using a 1/4 in (6 mm) allowance.