Press seams open or to one side
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,097
In one of the newsletters Admin discussed this. He said that in the garment industry the seat seams have always been pressed open and look at all the stress put on those seams.
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
I think that traditionally hand-pieced seams were pressed to one side to strengthen the seam. This convention was continued when quilters started machine piecing; however, it's not really necessary with machine-pieced seams because they are generally stronger than hand-stitched seams. Many award-winning quilters press their seams open to achieve more precise piecing results and to make hand quilting easier.
"Bearding" of batting through seams pressed open was probably more often a problem in the past. It might still be a problem today with some polyester and wool batts, but I think for the most part modern processing of batting has cut down a lot on this problem. Cotton batts usually do not beard at all.
"Bearding" of batting through seams pressed open was probably more often a problem in the past. It might still be a problem today with some polyester and wool batts, but I think for the most part modern processing of batting has cut down a lot on this problem. Cotton batts usually do not beard at all.
#14
I would say it depends on the design I am making. If you press to one side and then the next row the opposite way, the seams nestle up and you get a good match up. But, on some blocks that intersect heavily in the middle, you have to press them open to have a nice flat center. Just my personal perference, I am sure. I have heard it taught both ways. Today's machine piecing are a good strong seam, and pressing it open is acceptable.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post