If you have too much stress on a seam, it can split..if the seam allowances are pressed open like in sewing and the seam splits, you have a hole and can see the batting. If the allowances are pressed to the side as in quilting and the seam splits, you don't notice the batting since there is a layer of fabric below.

I found this article http://www.straw.com/equilters/libra...SeamsOpen.html and it changed my mind about pressing seams open. I have always (20+ years!!!) struggled with getting seams to match and this method has worked well for me - I too was taught to press seams to one side, but I am getting better results with pressing them open.

Because of the "lock stitch" that sewing machines make it is not necessary to press to one side. Do as you prefer...neither way is wrong.

I was taught to press them to one side, but it seems to be whatever you prefer. No quilt police here.

If you press open and you quilt in the ditch you only would be sewing over the thread.........makes most sence to me to iron to darker side. It also helps nesting seams together for sharp points.

I iron my seams to the side it makes a stronger seam.

I have been sewing quilts for over thirty plus years . I have almost always pressed my seams open. I have never had any issues with wear and tear. I like the look of a flat seam. It really helps to make some seams disappear, especially after its been quilted. My Long Arm person loves to do my quilts as there are no bumps the machine moves easliy over the entire quilt. I like it better when free motion for the same reason.

I was given a quilt kit this morning and tried pressing the seams to the side and had amazing results. I am wondering how my machine is going to feel about the bulk while quilting it.

Thanks for all the information.

My grandmother said it was so the batting didn't poke out through the stitches. Don't know if that is the original purpose for pressing to the side, but it works for me.

I prefer to press open wherever I can.