I started hand quilting in 1983. I was taught to press the seams open. You can do it either way.

Welcome from Louisian! Hand piecing and hand quilting....my hat is off to you!

welcome to the board. I press to the darker side too. I hand piece and think it is stronger to press one way.

When I began quilting, I was taught that seams would be stronger if they were pressed to one side. Be sure they are in opposite directions at seam lines and don't overlap - too bulky. Hope this helps.

I press to the darker side and when you hand quilt as in stitch in the ditch then it will be easier to quilt as the thickness will be less. It is hard to quilt when you have to go thru all the seams.

Thanks. Quilt shop people look at me in horror and tell me I can't to that! Will definitely try it on my next quilt. Am finishing up 1st one--sisterhood of quilters girlfriends quilt.

Good Morning Teddysmom -

I started out in quilting with hand piecing a looong time ago - and you should press seams to the side for hand piecing. I personally would not press hand-stitched seams open. A good place to start is watching Jinny Beyer hand piece - she is really, really fast (I am not) but looking at the size of her stitches is worth the effort.

I don't hand quilt much at all but when you do the quilting you will be avoiding the seam allowances other than when you cross corners, etc. Can't wait to see a few pictures.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC

When hand piecing pressing the seams to one side makes you quilt more stable. Hand stitches are not as strong as locked machine stitching. Pressing to one side puts less stress on the stitches. As most old quilts were done this way and then hand quilted the seams should not be a problem to quilt.

welcome from texas and good luck - we will looking forward to seeing your results

I forgot to mention my first quilt is also all hand pieced queen size sampler and it is holding up just fine, 23 years later. If you quilt all your blocks in a 1/4. that stablizes the seams too. You should be fine.