I had to laugh at using the mallet to pound it down...but, hey, if it works...go for it! Seriously, and I am not sure it would work in this particular situation...I have always been told told that when I get to a place where my seams are bulky and going in the same direction, to do a little clipping in near the middle where the bulk is. You would clip from the outer edge of the seam allowance into and just shy of your stitching line...then, once it is free, press that seam in the oppositie direction. I am sorry this is probably not really clear, but it might help.