I like to set my seams before pressing. When you bring the fabric up to press it down it seems to iron more true to the seams too. It also prevents unwanted creases that can occur by not doing it. :)

As I see it, most of the "professionals/teachers" recommend setting the seams.
Who am I who is always trying for the perfect quilt to argue.
So, I always set my seams

Seams seem to sit flatter when I 'set' my seam. It is an automatic thing with me. I don't even think about it.

I agree with everyone. It just makes for a better seam.

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. And when I don't, I notice the difference then wonder why I didn't bother to iron.:shock: Try it both ways for yourself and decide.

I more often than not set my seams. It just makes the fabric react better.

I hate to show my beginner ignorance, but exactly what is "setting" the seam "before pressing to one side or the other".....

Thanks for the information. I'm glad to see so many of you do this. I always wondered if this was necessary, now I am convinced!!!!

I cannot sew period without my iron they just go together and I love the look of perfection.

Agree with what has already been said. BrendaK

I always do it and agree with all the other post.I did an experiment with both ways and found out the blocks without the pressing didn`t lie as flat,also the size was about 1/16 smaller,you measure this by 8 seams it is 1/2 inch and by 16 sems and you have a whole inch.

janetter,
I starch and press my fabric before I rotary cut it. It seems like it does help to keep the fabric from stretching. Also keeps it laying flat on the cutting mat.

I will try to remember to set my seams. Thanks for the info:)

Setting your seams does make a difference, careful pressing can help keep your block size true. I've heard experts say that you should set your seams, then pressing on the top keeps wrinkles or folds from occuring along the seams. It may seem to be a waste of time, but in the long run it makes your quilt blocks and your quilt stay true to their size and makes piecing easier. I hope I made sense with what I just said.

it never occured to me not to set the seams. i did not think of it as an extra step. i like to do it. I always use starch. It seems to make it more accurate and I can get it just the way I want.

never did till Iread it on this board now I always do. does make a difference

You ladies realize how important setting your seams in a quilt block makes so much difference.
Well just imagine making an entire garment without pressing seams. That is what I did not learn in HomeEc not to press until finished. Thank God I had a mother who knew how to sew and how to tailor. I took 4 years of HomeEc making straight A's. I brought home a finished wool suit with the sleeves so uncomfortable. She took one look and knew they were in wrong. My Home Ec teacher was a real dingbat. Not too many of those young ladies enjoyed sewing. I did and I know today it was due to my mom and her knowledge standing behind me.

what does "set the seams mean?"

It may sound dumb but I don't know what it means to "set the seams" How is it done? Will appreciate if someone would answer.Thank you.

It is very much worth setting the seams.

I think it does help alot when you are looking for precision. When I started to quilt, I never ironed anything. Now, I iron everything at every step. I started setting my seams about a year ago, and I always do it now.

Yep, it makes a big difference in the finished product. Once in a while I forget to do this on a seam or two and I can tell the difference!

Years ago I never did this, but now it is just part of the process and I like the way it makes the seams lay better. Once again (I really hate that these messages don't wrap, it is like being on an Atari) thanks to Jenny on Missouri Quilt.

It's been described several times above and you can also see it here.
http://www.alderwoodquilts.com/downl...ttingSeams.pdf

IMO, you don't stand a chance of sewing neat joining seams if all aren't pressed as firmly as possible.
Starch helps!

Please explain "set my seams before pressing". Either I don't understand or it's what we do automatically.

I agree with what has been said,also your work will look much nicer when you are done,it will be more accurate,when I was in school I was taught to always set my seams.

d.swindle

Only way to go!

I always "set" my seams, just looks tidier! It has become second nature to put the iron on when I switch my machine on.

I have just recently started setting my seams and I can vouch for the fact that visually & technically it is beneficial. It does make a difference.

I do it all the time. Doesn't seem like an extra step and well worth the effort.

Does setting your seams with an iron after sewing really make a differance?
 

I always set the seams ,Dottie Bug

That link is about pressing a seam. The term "setting a seam" has been used quite a few times as a process PRIOR TO IRONING.

So, once again, what are these posters talking about? Finger pressing?

I learned from my mom, too, and skipped the Home ec classes. Studied more fun stuff.

Some posters are indicating "setting" is an operation prior to pressing. I've still not figured out what they mean, unless it's finger pressing.

BTW, if you find out------------please let me know

Coming from the garment side of sewing I learned to set the seams. It's a step I do with out thinking. However, getting my students to always do this step is a little harder. I have a LAM and sometimes quilt for others. I can always tell the ones that are properly pressed.

You set seams with a hot iron just as they were sewn (iow, while the fabrics are still right sides together) before pressing them open or to one side. It cannot be done by finger pressing. The first photo in the link given previously is setting the seam. See if this video explains it better for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0UT613ugmg
(disclaimer: my PC will not run videos, so I have not watched this)

Until recently I never did, just thumb pressed, but finally I tried it on some particularly balky triangle seams, and it made a huge difference. Iam now a believer!:)

Really does make a difference..if you open your seams, they lay flatter and are easier to match.

I always set my seams but only because I continually see it done on the Missour Star Quilt Company tutorials. Jenny always sets her and it has become a habit with me. I'm glad to learn what the reasoning is behind this extra step. Thanks again to everyone on the board who continually educate and inspire me.