Originally Posted by
teddysmom
I also hand piece and hand quilt. Here is a question for those of you who do the same. Should I press my seams to one side or can I press them open? I'm asking this because when I press them to the side and SID, it makes it harder to make small stitches. However, if I press the seams open and SID, does it make the seam weaker since I'm not quilting OVER the seam. HELP
When I hand piece I always press the seam to one side. If I have to SID, then I do it on the side of the seam without the seam allowance. If I end up stitching through more than one layer of fabric, I don't worry about making small stitches.
The rationale I've read for pressing seams to one side is that it helps keep the batting from "leaking" through the seam, as well as strengthening the seam.
Janet