I've heard all my life that when you sew you are suppose to press your seams open. Somehow I don't get the impression that is necessarily true for quilting. Is there a 'rule of thumb' for pressing seams open for quilting?

I always press mine towards the dark color or follow pattern directions. I am going to try pressing them open when they intersect and see if that takes out some of the thickness. I don't think there is a rule or anything. You can do them either way. I think it started when quilters handsewn the pieces together, to hide the stitches.

When you sew clothing seams open unless you have a serger but in quilting press your seams to the dark side of the fabric.

I almost always press to one side. When I press them open I usually burn myself with the steam :-D. I also like being able to make the seams nest so I get great points.

I press open if I have lots of seams, press to the dark otherwise. No reason, just what I do.

Hi,

I was taught to press to the dark.

Karen

I do it both ways.

Each block sorta tells me how I want to press the seams, do what works best for you :D:D:D

I try to press mine toward the darker fabric whenever I can.

Pressing seams closed strengthens the seam as there's less stress. Makes a difference over time and use. that's my two cents worth. now back to sewing!