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I feel that pressing the seams open may allow that seam to weaken and also allow the batting to show through. If one presses the seams to one side, the seam is less likely to separate IMHO.
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Yes, this is how I do my seams, nesting them. I especially like them this way when putting them on a Longarm machine. They quilt really nice because they are nested.
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I prefer to press, without steam, to the dark when possible, or whichever way they nest the best. That being said, sometimes I press open if there is a lot of seams meeting at one area to reduce bulk. Remember, no quilt police.
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Originally Posted by carolynjo
(Post 7759079)
I feel that pressing the seams open may allow that seam to weaken and also allow the batting to show through. If one presses the seams to one side, the seam is less likely to separate IMHO.
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Originally Posted by tessagin
(Post 7758370)
One class I went to the instructor insisted we iron the seams open. I had seen so many do this before and they for some reason burn their fingers. At the time I had a couple "craft/aka popsicle sticks. These worked just fine. I left her class early because she called me a wimp for using it and referred to wimping out a few times and glancing over at me directly. Anyway try a craft stick. Super cheap to use and purchase.
Better wimpy than burned. |
Originally Posted by EmiliasNana
(Post 7759118)
I prefer to press, without steam, to the dark when possible, or whichever way they nest the best. That being said, sometimes I press open if there is a lot of seams meeting at one area to reduce bulk. Remember, no quilt police.
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I made myself a tool to press open seams. Get a large wooden dowel (approx. 1 1/2 in diameter) and nail a strip of lath (1" X 1.5" X 1/4") to it for stability. Sand it if necessary, but make sure it is clean. Do Not put a finish on it. Then all you have to do is lay the seam on top of the dowel, the seam will pop open enough for the tip of the iron to open it the rest of the way. I use steam and no fingers get in the way.
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I only press seams open when a lot of them come together. Mine are 1/4" and I don't use steam. Most of the time I finger press the individual components and don't do a final press until the block is complete.
The other thing I have to remember is to not STID in the pressed-open seams. |
I sew with a scant 1/4" seam. Usually I press to the dark but, for some patterns, I prefer to press the seams open. I found that my strip sticks make this a lot easier. Here is a link to them:
http://www.thestripstick.com/ |
while I usually will press "to the dark", I've found that when I have several seams coming together (like with several HST all coming to a point), that they lay flatter when quilted if I press seams open. I treated myself to a StripStick (which you can make but I never seem to get those things done!) which when you lay the block so the seam is facing up on top of the StripStick the seams open and you can iron right on the Stick. I still sometimes "wimp" out (how rude she said that too you Tessagin--should have complimented how ingenuous you were) and use a stiletto (bamboo stick) too.
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