MeLuvQuilts

Hello,

I am still a beginner quilter (even after 3 years!). I know that sometimes patterns will show pressing directions, and other times they don't. Even if they do show the direction, it eventually seems to get to a point where nothing is really matching up right and I get bulk. Is there a rule of thumb, with our without pressing instructions on a pattern, that quilters follow? And, if you do get the bulk, do you just trim it away or what?
Lost in Bulkiness, MeLuvQuilts

Tartan

If the pattern does not have pressing directions, I press the " busiest" seam allowances outward. Busiest to me means, the patches with the most seams lay flatter if the seam allowances are ironed outward rather than inward into the patch. Where a lot of seams meet, (like an 8 point star center) I press them open or do the little swirl that Eleanor burns recommends.

Jackie Spencer

I always press toward the darker fabric, unless the directions say to do otherwise, then butt my seams together when piecing.

tropit

Ditto to the above suggestions. If you come to a spot where you really just don't know which way to go, you can always press the seam open. It may not be as quite as strong of a seam, but you can still butt it up again the others, the seam will lay relatively flat and no one will be the wiser.

~ Cindy

mighty

All advise given is really good. I to still struggle with which direction to press seams I just try to go with what gives me the least bulk.

dakotamaid

Sometimes the seam lets you know where it wants to go. I follow all of the above but still sometimes there is one that just won't cooperate. I let it have it's way if not too inconvenient.

NJ Quilter

I press almost all of my seams open. I find it's easier to match points/seams that way. Have not had any issues with the seams and/or hand quilting coming apart with this method. And I've been silly in the past and did SITD (why do we do that when we hand quilt???) and still no issues even after repeated washings.

sewmary

Ditto here. Top lays nice and flat with seams open.