I was watching tutorials on The Missouri Star Quilt website, and the women always 'set' their seams by ironing them before pressing them open. I was wondering what this does, and how important it is to do it. I've been trying to remember, but I don't really notice a difference when I forget. Any explanations?

Supposedly it affects how the thread lays between the fabric to make it more crisp I think. I actually do see a difference when I do this versus just pressing

Here's a previous discussion that you might glean some insights.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-122732-1.htm

It took me awhile to "convince" myself that it was worth the effort! I will say, I do notice an improved difference to the end results, and am now glad that I changed habits.

I do this too. I think it makes it so the seam does not take up so much of the fabric when opening them up. It's only the slightest fraction of an inch but when you have lots of seams, they add up. So I set the seam then open and press to the dark side, or whatever side they tell me to!

I've started doing it after watching a bunch of shows on TV. But I have not noticed it doing anything.

http://wiki.allpeoplequilt.com/page/Setting+a+seam

I have read that it reduces the puckers that are caused by the sewing...

Being new to quilting, I am trying to make it a habit to do these kinds of things, that way it won't be a matter of having to relearn it later

love all the tips I see here

If I have a lot of seams to press, I usually start off setting them, then quit and just press them open, bad, bad, bad...

I was taught that it helps to sink the thread into the fabric, so I have always pressed in this manner.

I started doing this after watching it on here. It makes a difference.