Pressing ?
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,571
I think most of us struggle with these issues. I'm guilty of lots of no-no's in my quilting. I do use starch - sta-flo at a 50/50 mixture. Let it settle into the fabric before ironing/pressing. I do this to my yardage before cutting. I TRY to always use the same spot on my ruler but rarely do. A tip that I keep forgetting to use - put a small piece of painters tape or post-it on the spot on your ruler that you want to use for repetitive cuts. Will improve cutting accuracy. Most patterns seem to be designed for the elusive 'scant' 1/4 seam allowance. My machine has a setting for that so that part is easy. Otherwise - again with the painters tape or post-it notes.
I press every seam as I piece. I use steam. I press my seams open unless the construction process does not allow for this. I square up each unit as I piece as well. Sometimes I'm a little over; sometimes I'm a little under. I usually go with 'close counts' if it's not too far off. Fabric stretches and it can also be eased to fit together.
Certainly try to improve your accuracy. But unless it's really far off, don't make yourself crazy.
I press every seam as I piece. I use steam. I press my seams open unless the construction process does not allow for this. I square up each unit as I piece as well. Sometimes I'm a little over; sometimes I'm a little under. I usually go with 'close counts' if it's not too far off. Fabric stretches and it can also be eased to fit together.
Certainly try to improve your accuracy. But unless it's really far off, don't make yourself crazy.
#22
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 46
My blocks never came out true to size....And then I was told to try this test.....Make two the same block......Press as you piece on one and finger press the second one and don't press until done with the block. All my blocks now come out perfect without ever having to trim.....Realize that pressing stretches the fabric.
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: California, USA
Posts: 1,318
One of the things that I find helpful is to starch my fabric before cutting it. I find that it give me a clean, crisp line. The fabric is flat, and with the starch, the sewing line seems crisper, too. When I started doing this, I noticed that my blocks came out closer to the size they were supposed to be (at least a lot better than my attempts before starching). It seems that all my blocks are a little bit off, no matter how careful I am.
One of my bad habits is that when I get to the end of the seam, for some reason I don't keep a true 1/4" seam to the end. I don't know why this happens, but I try to pay close attention to this now that I realize that I do it.
I also use Arifil thread because it is not as thick as some threads and you tend to lose a teensy bit of fabric in the seams when it is ironed over a thicker thread.
In addition to this, I just saw a video (I think in was Nancy's Sewing) where they put a block of wood on the seam after they ironed it to weight down the seam while the fabric was cooling for a few minutes. The block of wood was maybe a 2"x4" cut about 10" long. Nancy said that it would help the seam lay flat.
One of my bad habits is that when I get to the end of the seam, for some reason I don't keep a true 1/4" seam to the end. I don't know why this happens, but I try to pay close attention to this now that I realize that I do it.
I also use Arifil thread because it is not as thick as some threads and you tend to lose a teensy bit of fabric in the seams when it is ironed over a thicker thread.
In addition to this, I just saw a video (I think in was Nancy's Sewing) where they put a block of wood on the seam after they ironed it to weight down the seam while the fabric was cooling for a few minutes. The block of wood was maybe a 2"x4" cut about 10" long. Nancy said that it would help the seam lay flat.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: California, USA
Posts: 1,318
[QUOTE= or can also shrink fabric due to the moisture and heat--which makes sense since using it on a quilt with cupping problems before quilting helps tame the cupping by shrinking it. Has anyone else heard this?[/QUOTE]
I have never heard of "cupping" problems. What is this?
It makes sense about shrinking the material when steam ironing, as that is what you do when wash and dry it in the dryer. But, now that you mention this, it is certainly an "AH Ha" moment for me.
I have never heard of "cupping" problems. What is this?
It makes sense about shrinking the material when steam ironing, as that is what you do when wash and dry it in the dryer. But, now that you mention this, it is certainly an "AH Ha" moment for me.
#26
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,384
put a block of wood on the seam after they ironed it to weight down the seam while the fabric was cooling
Cupping is when you have a block that looks convex when it should be flat.
When I was in block exchanges, or putting together blocks from other quilters for a raffle or gift quilt this ruler was a must when the blocks were off from the original size. http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...marker+tool.do
#27
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 195
Since I watched this video I've been pressing most of my seams like this.
It helps to avoid those tiny pleats which makes the block smaller. Try it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CynQMi2IQ18
It helps to avoid those tiny pleats which makes the block smaller. Try it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CynQMi2IQ18
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 660
I just watched the video and it is great. I never thought about pressing the corners first but it does make sense. I will try to remember 😄😄 this when I get back hime from vacation.
Thanks
Sandy in Mooresville, NC - visiting in York, PA right now.
Thanks
Sandy in Mooresville, NC - visiting in York, PA right now.
#30
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,384
I have the large Steady Betty ironing surface. It's great for pressing blocks. If you can find foam backed vinyl it works the same as the Steady Betty. It use to be at fabric stores sold as outdoor fabric for tablecloths. It's hard to find now.
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