NJ Quilter

I agree with those that have said it ultimately makes your blocks flatter. I also press my seams open instead of a particular direction. This makes for an absolutely flat top which, for me, makes a difference in hand quilting.

SmickChick

"Butter and jelly"
"Hammer and nail"
"Needle and thread"
...."Sewing Machine AND IRON"
Some things just go together!
(If you sew, you BETTER iron-- IMO)

gailinva

Yes, it makes the seams lie flatter.

greaterexp

I too am a convert to setting seams. It has truly made a big difference in how my blocks come out. I hadn't heard of starching fabric before cutting and piecing until I found this site, and what with setting seams and starching, my blocks are so much more accurate now than before!

susie-susie-susie

Always set the seams. I have a hard time remembering to press not iron, but I'm working on it. I can see the difference when I forget to press and start to iron. Sometimes the seam stretches.
Sue

SandScraps

That's the one step I pay special attention to. The one time I didn't, my block looked like a dish rag. It's still in the orphan box.

It'sJustMe

First learned about this step in a jacket tailoring class and since then have applied to all sewing.
Of course, if you are making a garment a la Free People or one the the other modern labels, you
wouldn't want to do that step as it would look too finished lol.

teddysmom

I've started doing that and it does make a difference in the final quilt.

nhweaver

I do press seams most of the time, but sometimes, I use a plastic gizmo (don't know the name) to finger press them. Recently I added a nightstand to the left of my sewing table when I keep a padded board and my iron. It reminds me to press.

abdconsultant

I have always struggled with matching seams, starting at the cutting mat, and finishing the sewn seam with a mist of "Best Press" to relax the fabric and a dry iron sure makes a difference for me.