After you sew a seam, you press, not iron, the seam while it is closed, just like it was sewed. That sets the stitches. Then it depends on if you are joining the piece you are making to another piece. If you are, you probably want to press, not iron the Seam going in the opposite direction of the adjoining one so they nest. This is where you want to watch a couple of YouTube videos on 'Nesting your seams for quilting'. Otherwise, press, from the front, if you prefer, toward the darker fabric so the seam won't show through on the top side. There are no rules, just helpful hints. You don't have to do what I say, or anyone says. That's what's so cool about quilting.

To the dark side I also set seams. I have pressed open and it works just fine.

Some quilters actually finger press or use a tool (such as a wooden blunt stick with a point for turning corners) used in paper creasing to press as they piece. It's useful at the machine when piecing small pieces of fabric. Of course, long seams would certainly need more and particularly when setting a block together, applying sashing, etc. Saw this on F & P show. What works for you, so try variuos things. I usually press to the dark but good judgement sh prevail.

I will look into that. Great thank you!

That is what I heard too. But, I"m make a scrappy nine patch quilt and the dark and light fabrics are placed everywhere. There is no special layout. That's why I was uncertain. Thank you for your response.

I took a class from a national quilt teacher. She told us she doesn't prewash and she irons.

Couldn't agree more with this. Press to the dark as just a general rule. That said, as I hand quilt, I press them spread eagle! lol Only because it's easier to push the needle through. Pressing them out like that is said to weaken the seams, which I agree with but I don't think it would weaken them that much.

Everyone does it differently. It just depends on what they like or what they're used to.

Thank you for the info here. I wasn't sure what was meany by setting the seams. I was also questioning if it matters if you press to one side or if you press open. I like to press my seams open because that is what you do when you sew clothing. I also like that it keeps the seams from being bulky. I pin as I quilt, again because I also sew clothing, so I can match up seams without having to nest the pieces.