Press after each seam????
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,148
I press each seam to side before joining to another peice. Also I press seams "closed/ as sewn" before pressing open. This seems like an added step but it does make seams lie flatter.I have tried not pressing but it seems way harder to press after joining then pressing before joining. Also pressing before joining makes seams/points easier to match
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Indiana
Posts: 450
As other said, it is Deep Vein Thrombosis. My family is prone to them and I have had one pulmonary emboli. Scary stuff. So, it is up and down for me. Keeps the blood moving and helps with my hip and lower back pain.
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 2,005
You really need to press every seam. Makes a big difference. I keep a small travel iron and an old wood cutting board covered with batting and fabric right next to my machine so I can sew and press very easily without moving.
#25
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
I am a big believer in pressing. Why don't you chain stitch the first strip on one side of the 5" square. - do this to all of the 5" squares, then press. Go back and do the next side to all of the squares, go all the way around the squares by chain stitching, press then on to the 2.5" strip, repeat. Pressing is very important to making a squared block. Hope this helps.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DC metro area
Posts: 1,286
This is what I do, I finger press until I get to crossed seams and then press everything. I tend to be a chain piecer so I have all my blocks at the same stage so I press everything at the same time.
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,056
I press each seam also. Keeps things crisp and easier to sew. I had my husband cut me a 16 x 16 inch piece of plywood. I made a little ironing mat that I keep next to my sewing machine. I have a small GE iron I bought at the $ store that I use (NO auto shut off). Works great for me for the smaller pieces. When I get to the larger strips I iron those on the reg. iron board. Works for me.
#28
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
Exceptions:
Finger pressing works fairly well until the final pressing on simple blocks such as a 9-patch.
I wait until the block is completed before pressing a complex block that I'm hand-piecing. The probable reason for hand-piecing was to decide how to press the block when it was completed.
Finger pressing works fairly well until the final pressing on simple blocks such as a 9-patch.
I wait until the block is completed before pressing a complex block that I'm hand-piecing. The probable reason for hand-piecing was to decide how to press the block when it was completed.
#29
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
I assembly line each step and then iron before the next step. I have a pad and iron on the right of me so I don't have to jump up and down. A iron board can be lowered to sitting height too if you have the room or a a covered tv tray will work in smaller plaes. I have a L shape desk at the moment so I just use that.But pressing really helps me as I go. I have seen people finger press but it just doesn't work well for me.
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