pressing seams open
10-01-2012, 04:59 AM
#22
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
I'm making a Jacob's Ladder right now, and all the four patches are "furled" - all the seams go clockwise around the patch. So two are pressed toward the light and two are press toward the dark. The center opens up to reveal a tiny four patch as you press it. That way the patch has no up or down and matches up so that seams nest; the top seam faces away from you and the bottom seam toward you. The bottom seam will not "flip" the wrong way when feeding. You can see the top seam to assure that it goes under the needle correctly.
I always press to one side; mostly the dark side. But sometimes it needs to be pressed toward the light as you are putting the pieces together. The only time I press seams open is at the middle of a pinwheel or star or such, where more than four seams are coming together. My sewing machine has no trouble FMQing over this.
And if I get to a seam and both are going the same way, I'll flip one. So don't you go looking at the back of my quilt! LOL
I think pressing to one side is so much faster and easier. The only seam I'll always press open is the seam on the binding, to reduce bulk.
I always press to one side; mostly the dark side. But sometimes it needs to be pressed toward the light as you are putting the pieces together. The only time I press seams open is at the middle of a pinwheel or star or such, where more than four seams are coming together. My sewing machine has no trouble FMQing over this.
And if I get to a seam and both are going the same way, I'll flip one. So don't you go looking at the back of my quilt! LOL
I think pressing to one side is so much faster and easier. The only seam I'll always press open is the seam on the binding, to reduce bulk.
10-01-2012, 05:03 AM
#23
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rosedale, Indiana
Posts: 2,003
Originally Posted by NJ Quilter
I press seams open all the time, regardless of directions and/or block type. Not a problem in the least. I think it makes any block lay flatter and ultimately easier to quilt, either by hand or machine. Don't fret - it will be fine.
10-01-2012, 05:15 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,688
I do either one -- if there are a lot of pieces joining together I will press open. I press to one side (not always the dark side) when I think it will work to have the seams go in that direction. Flannel I always press open to reduce bulk.
10-01-2012, 09:41 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: League City, Texas, USA
Posts: 625
I press to one side, usually the darker unless there is a particular reason to press open. I like that there is fabric beneath the seam, not just batting. I hand quilt so quilt stitches are not as tight as with a machine. Right now I am making all my quilts to be heirloom. Once I get everybody covered, then who knows. I will probably do what ever is quickest.
10-01-2012, 08:17 PM
#29
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Tulare, CA
Posts: 199
Thanks for this info!! I've been wondering about the differences for a while, and am glad to know now!!
Originally Posted by Tartan
Pressing to the dark side was the traditional way. The quilt seams were done this way because they were stronger when piecing was done by hand. Now that we sew and quilt by MACHINE it is not necessary.
10-02-2012, 08:32 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Nevada
Posts: 1,103
Originally Posted by coffeebreak
I have done it for the same reason...but..my problem is that the ends start to pull apart. No matter how careful I am..most often by the time I get to piecing it..the ends are a little pulled apart/open when I press the seams open. Does this not happen to you? If not, is there something you do to prevent it? I can see a quick back stitch but at the same time... I have never heard of anyone doing that.
I know! Long answer for a short question! LOL!
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