question about pressing seams
03-19-2012, 06:37 PM
#1
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question about pressing seams
I made 20 strip sets that I need to press and then cut with a quarter square triangle ruler. The first one I pressed to one side. The second I pressed both seams out. They were both a little small. The third I pressed the seams open. This one worked the best. Is there that much difference in how you press. Which way should make my strip the widest?
I set my seams before pressing. I am using spray starch since I will have bias edges after cutting. I am trying very hard not to distort the pieces by "ironing" too hard. This is such a challenge!
I set my seams before pressing. I am using spray starch since I will have bias edges after cutting. I am trying very hard not to distort the pieces by "ironing" too hard. This is such a challenge!
03-19-2012, 06:47 PM
#2
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If the strips are the same width when sewn together the way you press the seams should not make a difference. What happens is if you don't have them pressed in opposite directions they don't nest together and they create a lot of bulk.
03-19-2012, 07:05 PM
#3
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When you press to one side or the other the seams nest together and will line up nicely. When you press open you have to be really careful to line up seams. Lots of quilters will tell you that pressing open give less bulk but I'm not good enough at lining up seams when they are pressed open. You also have to be careful not to iron little tucks when pressing to one side or the other--that can throw your pieces off too.
03-19-2012, 07:28 PM
#4
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I do prefer to nest my seams. Most definitely! I can re-press the seams on half of the blocks so the seams alternate.
The block that I made with the pressed open seams was a huge pain to have to pin each spot where the seams met. Not to mention the pain of pressing the seams open. Too bad this was the one that pressed out large enough to fit the ruler.
The block that I made with the pressed open seams was a huge pain to have to pin each spot where the seams met. Not to mention the pain of pressing the seams open. Too bad this was the one that pressed out large enough to fit the ruler.
03-19-2012, 07:37 PM
#5
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I doesn't matter unless you plan to stitch in the ditch, then it might create a problem, also opposite seams lock, My heart bargello was all done with locking seams so you have to read the pattern to see if they use locking seams
03-20-2012, 08:04 AM
#6
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Location: Northern California, Sonoma Co.
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I've had the same problem, when I press to one side, it seems to eat up a little of the fabric and my pieces are a little small (which adds up over time). When I press down the middle, my sizes are better. I figure that's what the scant 1/4" seam is all about -- you have to leave a thread or two to be taken up by the pressing.
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