My quilting skills leave alot to be desired sometimes, I think. Always new methods to try - and now I've started washing all my fabric before starting a project. However, when making a square, whether it be a 9 patch, log cabin or any others, do you press each time you add a strip or square?

This is a personal choice. I press each time but many don't and have great success! Try both ways and see what works best for you.

And do you always press your seams to one side? I am pretty much self taught - so I read alot. I recently read that some press their seams open, which I think would be easier to stitch in the ditch if that's how I plan to quilt it.

I press each seam and every fabric I'm working with at the time is starched before I start.

It's definitely a personal choice....I press everything...and I use steam...Be careful to "press" (up and down) and not "iron" (back and forth) the fabric as you can really stretch your fabric out of shape. I also use Best Press on my fabric, which if you've never used it, is a wonderful product..You can spray it on your black slacks and it will not leave a white residue...Great product!! Quilt shops will usually carry it.....

It depends on the block, for me, but lately, I haven't been pressing much. For a 9 patch, I sew 3 sets of long strips together and cut to my square width from the strip then sew three strips to get the 9P, so yes, I'll press before cutting the strips.

But I don't press each seam as I go unless I have to, like if I'm sewing over a seam, I usually will, though I've been finding that I don't really need to if I position and pin it properly.

I press my seams open. It is really a matter of preference. I prefer them open.

I think......if you press seams open and then stitch in the ditch...you might be weakening the seams. I am not sure, but I believe that I read that somewhere!

You can also get it at Joanns and Hancocks.

I've heard the same thing about SID with open seams. I've not tested that though.

I do press after each seam, but I also chain piece so I'm not constantly hopping up and down from my machine - rather I'm pressing a bunch of sets at the same time.

I use a lot of starch and also of Best Press before starting to cut a project, which I think has helped somewhat with the accuracy of my seams.

Cheers, K

I press but it is your preference.

Its personal. I press as little as possible.

I press each time. I think you get a more accurate reading that way.

if you press seams open you don't have a "ditch" to stitch in.

I press all of my seams at each step, for me, it increases my accuracy.
I press to the side and open too if the intersections are going to get too bulky :D:D:D

I press with each step. Partly because I think it would be tough to press them all just so after the blocks are all sewn together.

Always press - to 'set' the seam and then press to the dark fabric. Pressed seams are much neater. SITD is thru batting and backing so whether you are through the seam allowance or not doesn't matter.