Pressing seams open or not?
#21
I was taught to press seams to one side but I am really getting tired of seams that don't match up. I'm exploring ways to press the seams so I don't burn myself, which I have done many times. Call me a klutz, whatever.
#22
#23
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
Posts: 10,477
When I started quilting (1992) I knew nothing and pressed in just any direction. Some while later I did read somewhere to press to the dark, so that is what I try to do unless instructions for a particular pattern say to do something else.
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
Many good points mentioned here for pressing to one side. I most always do that. I do think feline fanatic's last paragraph is very useful for those situations where lots of seams come together. Works great for me.
#27
I only press the seams open if there is a good reason to, and I find that there seldom is. I think the seam is stronger if pressed to one side, and it's impossible to SITD if pressed open (because there is no ditch). I often SITD to stabilize before doing other quilting.
#29
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 204
I have been pressing seams open but then my long arm quilter advised that when the seams are pressed open, they are weaker and the seams can stretch during quilting. I am not pressing to the sides most of the time. It is a habit that is difficult to change but it can be done.
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