Press open or to the dark or...?
I've read all kinds of conflicting opinions on this. When I first started quilting 10 years ago it was firmly press to the dark. Now I read both.
Opinions? What do you do? Pressing open would give so much more crisp a finish, but it seems like it would be weaker? |
it depends on the pattern/seam i am working on- if i want my seams to 'nest' i press so they will- often this does mean toward the dark-but not always- if dealing with lots of bulk- pressing open at times is the better way to go-
there are no -- hard rules---you press the way it works for what you are working on- some patterns tell you which way is best for your pattern- sometimes you have to figure out for yourself what is the best.---no reason for any 'conflict' |
Great advice.
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I press to the dark when the seam will show through on a light color fabric and I have a dark to press to, but other then that I press open. My blocks sew together to be the perfect size and are flat when I press the seams open.
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We all learned last night in our "open sew" that some piecing patterns just really work best if seams are pressed open. I'm going to try it, seems like it could really make a difference.
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Originally Posted by ckcowl
(Post 5154500)
it depends on the pattern/seam i am working on- if i want my seams to 'nest' i press so they will- often this does mean toward the dark-but not always- if dealing with lots of bulk- pressing open at times is the better way to go-
there are no -- hard rules---you press the way it works for what you are working on- some patterns tell you which way is best for your pattern- sometimes you have to figure out for yourself what is the best.---no reason for any 'conflict' |
I usually press to the dark fabric. I press open if a lot of seams come together in one point. The reason I don't press most of my seams open is if I decide to stitch in the ditch, there is nothing by the thread to stitch over. I am always afraid that I'll break a stitch with my needle as I quilt. Do what works for you.
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I was taught "press to the dark" but when you start setting the blocks together, some of those "dark" seams have to go toward the light (or be pressed open) because they will not nest nicely and may cause a larger than life bump in the seam... this can also be difficult to quilt over whether you are hand quilting or machine quilting.
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When piecing blocks I like to press seams open. When I add sashing or borders I press the seams to the inside making the sashing or border stand out.
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Originally Posted by ckcowl
(Post 5154500)
it depends on the pattern/seam i am working on- if i want my seams to 'nest' i press so they will- often this does mean toward the dark-but not always- if dealing with lots of bulk- pressing open at times is the better way to go-
there are no -- hard rules---you press the way it works for what you are working on- some patterns tell you which way is best for your pattern- sometimes you have to figure out for yourself what is the best.---no reason for any 'conflict' |
I started sewing clothing long before I began quilting, and most of the time seams are pressed open. When I started quilting, I was taught to press to the dark, but I found I liked the results better when I press open. I seem to be able to match seams better when they're open then when they're pressed in opposite directions. I try to press open as much as possible unless it'll show through on white fabric, and then I may trim the darker seam allowance a hair so it doesn't show. I feel that the quilting will "hold everything together", so I'm not too worried about weaker seams.
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So glad to hear a lot of you press seams open. My points are so much better when I press open. I do lots of mini's so opening the seams are a must for flatness and acuracy.
I do agree that you must find your own comfort zone. Just try different ways. |
Originally Posted by Sally J
(Post 5154678)
We all learned last night in our "open sew" that some piecing patterns just really work best if seams are pressed open. I'm going to try it, seems like it could really make a difference.
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I think I'll be going open on my next quilt. The nesting just isn't happening well for me on this one. Great point UNOut the quilting holding everything together, as well as to the side if using quilt in the ditch.
Thanks! |
Originally Posted by momto5
(Post 5154789)
What she said...
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Good advice from all of you. I normally press to the dark .
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My sister-in-law said her grandmother was a big quilter and always pressed the seams open. I'm shortening my stitch length just a little more and going with open seams most of the time. I like Superior Thread's Masterpiece for piecing. It is fine enough not to add bulk to the seam but very strong.
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"Back in the day" when I started quilting, polyester batting was all the rage, but it bearded when quilted.....that is, tiny bits of the batting occasionally pulled through seams and stitches like tiny tufts of beard. So, one way that could be 'somewhat' eliminated was by pressing seams closed, hence the press-to-the-dark dictate.
Today's batts, even polyester, are better made and do not beard as much as they used to, whether hand or machine quilted. I tend to press to one side, out of habit as much as anything. Jan in VA |
I do both depending on the project...some projects with multiple seams gathering at one junction I do both ...so whatever works best for you and your project...their is no set rules...thus no quilt police in existance here
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