Thread: Question on pressing seam

The directions for the spice block in my scrapy quilt call for the seam to be pressed towards the 4 patch, which is set on point and the seam has bump this way. So. I pressed it the opposite! Now when rows get sewed together, two seams will not be interlocking. I could repress, but that bump are non interlocking seams worse?

I would just push the seam over , so that it does interlock, when I got to that seam. Then you could go back and press it the way it was sewn. I don't like pushing my seams over a four patch either. Good luck.

Well. I'm not really one to follow "quilt police" type directions. If there are less bumps then go ahead and press it away from the 4 - patch. Why worry about the seams interlocking ..... just make sure to pin.

As I understand it, nesting seams simply make it easier to match them up when sewing pieces together. Unless you are having difficulty matching your "points" I wouldn't worry about nesting the seams. Press in the way that makes most sense to you.

I agree with bjchad. The 'nesting' process is simply for ease in matching. Frankly, I find it less so - creates more bulk for me - so I press 99% of my seams open. Haven't had an issue yet! Do what works for you.

It looks like it is the seams on the sides of the "nine patch" are your issues. Maybe alternate the way you sew and press those. Sew the next block with the red sides first

Thanks for the encouragement, I just can't bring myself to press towards the triangle. That would be a lot of bumps. So,I'll either line the the two inch blocks up on the joining rows. Or press them open. So , my learning lesson for this quilt. Check the blocks. Even though I knew I didn't like suggested direction ,and pressed the opposite way. At that moment I should have looked ahead and solved this problem. I'll just lock the doors,so the police can't get in. And if I'd be so luckily to have someone wonder someday ,why this lady did it this way. Ha, ha. Never say never. But can't see that happening!

I'm bad, but will put my two cents in too. I learned almost 20 years ago (from the "friend" who got me into quilting she's the same one who started me on the road to fabric hording - lol), to press my seams in the direction of least "bulk". If not nesting, then be sure to use lots of pins and go for the "flat" seam. So my vote is go with what ever works best for you, because when your quilt is all put together "NO one but you will know".

It wouldn't matter which sides were sewed first, as you would then have the same problem with the other side. My fix would be to snip the seam allowances to the stitching line, and press the way I wanted.
the blue marks indicate the snips....