Pressing seam open on a dowel rod?
 

I watch a lot of tutorials and I have seen this technique in passing a few times, but I have never had it explained to me.

What I am referring to is this: After sewing two long strips together, the seam is placed over a dowel rod to press it open. What exactly does that accomplish, and is this a common technique that I just have never heard of?

If you watch this preview of a craftsy class, you will see her doing this at about the 1 minute mark: http://www.craftsy.com/class/quiltin...95339~cyfdrhoh

Some people like to press their seams open vs. to one side to reduce bulk. Using a dowel makes this easier to accomplish. It helps prevent those tiny creases that may form along the seam. I did this a long time ago when doing drapes and other home dec.
Pressing seams open is a personal preference.
I have seen more and more home dec and garment construction techniques and tools recently being used for quilting. If someone's only done patchwork, it may be new to them. It's all sewing so whatever works for you!

I would also think it would give the seam a nice flat appearance. JMHO

I use the dowel when I'm pressing a sleeve for a wall-hanging. I can press the
long seam open without putting any unwanted crease elsewhere. Otherwise
I don't bother when piecing.

I like it for pressing long seams to the side (or open) and also for pressing short seams open (not needed for pressing short seams to the side). Makes it easier. Also, for the long seams, it prevents me from pressing in a curve; the resulting pressed seam is straight. You can make your own if you can find half-round dowels. I just bit the bullet and bought a set of Strip Sticks:
http://www.thestripstick.com/

So it keeps the seams straighter? Very interesting! I will admit that when pressing long strips, it is hard to keep the seam straight. I think I may need to try this.

I like the idea of the stripstick... I just wonder if I can make one myself. Perhaps if I find a strip of half-round molding at Lowe's and then cover it with batting and canvas, it will work. I may give it a shot!

Actually, you don't need to cover it if the wood is smooth. Also, no batting. My strip sticks are just covered in muslin with edges serged to be tight. But you don't even need the muslin.

Actually its easier to by 1/2 round instead of fully round dowel. That way it lies on the table better! But it is a super idea!

Buying quarter round and gluing 2 pieces together, if you put the correct sides together can result in a slightly flatter surface. The wood rod lifts the seam you are pressing above the rest of your quilt pieces so they don't get messed up when you are pressing.

I'm planning to bite the bullet too and buy a stripstick at the LQS cause I'm determined to get back to the Storm at Sea that I ended up taking all apart and know that I'll get lots of corners coming together in one place. Have a quilt out of all HST and wish I'd opened MANY more seams--have the rubber mallet out to work on it :(

I agree, pressing seams open is a personal preference. I do it only to avoid excessive bulk but you have to consider the batting you are using and how you are to quilt the top. I prefer a press seam to the side so not batting will migrate and I like to SITD.

As Silver Needle says, it keeps from pressing wrinkles into the surrounding pieces. I found that you don't need to enclose the split dowel in fabric, just bare wood works best for me. If you came from a garment construction background, you probably used a tightly rolled towel for a similar result.

Thanks for the input everyone! I never knew this was a popular practice among quilters, but it does make sense to me now. I will skip the batting and muslin and just use a half round dowel rod.

In reading this post, I remembered that I purchased a strip stick more than a year ago but have never used it... : (

I will take Prism99's suggestion and use it on my next set of long strips... The Gyspsy Wife quilt that I am working on has several longer strips in the quilt - some cut 1 inch and others at 1 1/2 inch wide at various lengths. I bet my strip stick will come in handy after all.

Wow. I had not heard of this product. It sure would have been handy for the two fabric bargello I just finished. Adding split dowel to my shopping list for my next trip into town.

I use one all the time. I have been doing BOMs and sometimes the directions call for a seam to be pressed open at bulky intersections.

What my hubby did was cut an 18" piece of handrail for me. While it is already flat on one side, he actually took off about 1" because he thought it would be more stable. I use it just as is - no covering. It allows me to press one seam and not disturb others.

Half round works wonderfully - I had seen this at a quilt show and went home and made several. I gave away quite a few as Christmas gifts. The other think I love about it especially when pressing seams open is you get only that seam!! Otherwise when I am trying to press I end up messing up the one next to it especially if they are skinny strips

Why buy two quarter rounds and have to glue, I bought the half round years ago a use it all the time.

I was able to obtain a length of handrail in the bargain bin at a big box store. It's a handy tool. I do like the idea of your hubby having trimmed off about l inch for stability. I bit the bullet to get a more compact tool for quilting away from home sweet sewing room. :-)

My hubby made me one out of the 1/2 round & I like it better because the doweling lies nice & flat. I did cover mine with heat proof fabric (not the stuff you use for pot holders) but this stuff is thin with a dull, almost aluminum looking coating on one side. This helps reflect the heat from the iron. I think it's the stuff they use for ironing board covers. Excuse me, I can't think of the names right now, I'm having a senior moment. LOL

Am I right in guessing that this item works the way a tailors sleeve roll works? That is what I learned to use to open and press seams.

I agree. I went to Lowes and bought a length of 1/2 round. I cut it down myself into 3 different sections and covered them with muslin, just to avoid rough spots that might catch. It was a lot cheaper than a set I saw for sale online.