Suggestions requested for pressing blocks with lots of seams
I am currently working on making a scrappy buggy wheel quilt. These blocks are made from 2" finished squares and HST. I am laying them out in an 8X8 grids, sewing rows, pressing, then sewing rows into blocks. This is the first time I have made large blocks from small pieces.
When I press the rows before sewing into blocks, it is easy to get a row that is exactly 16.5" wide. Therefore I think that my cutting/sewing is pretty accurate.
However, when I sew rows into the block and press I am getting blocks that are consistent not flat and are 16.25" long - I don't think I am pressing them flat enough. A gentle tug will pull them out to 16.5". The blocks have a lot of seams that I don't want to distort.
I try to set the seams then gently finger press into place before pressing with the iron from the back side. Do you have any suggestions for better pressing with lots of seams to get flat blocks and how I can press 1/4 inch into the blocks I already have? Thanks!