Pressing seams open...what a PAIN
 

I have been trying different block patterns for two twin quilts I need to make. I finally found one that works with the jelly rolls I have and isn't beyond my skill level. The problem is that all the seams need to be pressed open. I find that part of making the block such a pain....literally! I have been setting the seam with the steam iron, then flipping over and pressing seam to one side, then opening up the seam completely and pressing. I keep burning my fingers with the steam, but without the steam, the seam doesn't want to stay open. I know there has to be an easier method to open these 1/4"seams without burning the fingers. Suggestions anyone?

I found that opening a bit at one end then curling (lifting) up the seam an inch or so in front of your iron as you sew along it helps a lot. I set the seam then just open it without pressing to one side.

What if you used a stylus or something like that to open the seams?

A strip stick can be helpful: http://thestripstick.com/buy_products . Love mine!

I press the seam open with a dry iron, turn to right side and spritz on water with a spray bottle. No steam to burn my fingers. Pressing open with your fingernail before pressing helps too.

........ or a shot of Best Press.

I have a blunt pointed cheese spreader. But craft sticks work too! Before I press with the iron, I press with my fingers the first inch or so. If you hold the craft stick against the iron a little it will get warm enough to press the seams open with out burning any fingers. It holds it enough to use the iron. My little niece likes to use the craft sticks as a stiletto when she sews.

An interesting thing I discovered is my seams were flatter and stayed flatter when I did not set the stitching. I would turn off the steam and not set the seam so you have cold fabric in front of the iron that you can finger press open as you go.

You're making things way too hard on yourself. Just set the seam (without steam),
then open the seam and press (with or without steam). If you steam before opening
the seams you probably make the seams stick together. No wonder you're fulling frustrated.

Ok folks, here is how I do it. With a bit of limited hand/finger movement I look for easier ways for me to do things. Pressing seams open was difficult for me. Then when I looked in my sewing/quilting closet I noticed a sleeve pressing ham?. No more problems like that for me.

Anyway I have the sleeve ham on the ironing board and place the seam over it and press. The weight of the fabric pulls the seam so it stays open.

For those who don't know them, they are an elongated large stuffed tube like item that is used to press sleeves so there is no crease or seams when you are sewing. JoAnns does sell them. Otherwise they are a sewing item, not a quilting item.

you are taking a lot of steps- and making the whole process awfully difficult- just set the seam- flat- one side- then open the fabric with the seam up- use a chopstick or something like that (I have a bamboo crochet hook I use often) to start opening the seam- if you feel you need steam go ahead & steam as you run the tip of the iron down the center of the seam- wooden chopsticks (given away free at Chinese restaurants) are very handy 'gadgets' in a sewing room- they will open up seams nicely without burning your fingers. :)

I bought some finger guards for the tips of my fingers that I put on when I am using my fingers close to the iron. I cannot remember the name they go by, but they make the finger guards for what you need them for. Try Googling it.

Bought this at a show this year and it is great. No more burnt fingers

Chopsticks and letter openers work too.

I use chopsticks or kebob sticks. Which ever happens to be in the kitchen drawer when I need them. And I steam the snot out of every block I press. Bring on the quilt police!

I use the little "wooden Iron" thingie from Eleanor Burns, first then I iron with steam, works Great!!

I really love mine too. I usually spray it, finger press then slide this under the seam.

I learned from a teacher that if you press the seam to the side as usual (I know this seems strange), then put the point of the iron on the lower flat seam and move forward. Wow, the seam opens up without using finger or tools. It works.

AilKat, thanks for the great idea! I have a sleeve ham and also a device that I use for pressing seams that is made like the sleeve ham except that it is longer and roll shaped. That roll will be perfect for pressing open seams. I use it all the time in garment sewing. I can't believe I never thought about using it for quilting. When I press open seams, I use Best Press after I get the seam opened. That holds the pressed edges open. I do not use steam after getting burned a couple of times.

I have a wooden point turning tool that I use.

Looks like I could roll some insulbrite andquick stitch the ends....???

I'll give it a try soon and let you know.

I have found my mini iron to be extremely helpful when I have tedious pressing to do. I used it a lot making bias for a recent applique project.

I only press seams open if there is going to be a lot of bulk somewhere along the seam. It does really help with that, otherwise I see no real benefit to pressing open.

And to think I donated two sewing hams, didn't think of using them for quilting. I have plenty of room to store them. Oh well, too many years they have been gone to worry about it now.

I know this would bring the Quilt Police, but I just don't do open seams. But I still consider myself a beginner so, I don't really do complicated patterns that would require it. I depend on the seams "locking" to help line up patterns. I do a sample block to figure out which direction works best, it's not always to the dark.

This is how I do it - opening those seams just takes much longer than pressing to the dark. But, sometimes it's gotta be done.

I love mine too!!

I also use my mini iron for hard to get to seams. I have a hook right beside my sewing machine just for mini iron as it is so handy to use right at the machine. after pressing open seams w/mini I like to turn my block over and steampress so everything lies flat.

I also dry iron the seams open without setting them, then flip over, lightly spray with water, then press again. Of course I learned to sew clothing before quilting, so pressing seams open is ingrained in me. I actually like pressing the seams open as opposed to one side because you get a neater seam.

I usually only use steam when starching yardage befor cutting. Using a fine mist for pressing seams helps with the burn issues. You can buy a nice little mister bottle at a dollar store for around a dollar, good investment.

Turn the steam off, do not set the seam, do not press to one side. After sewing, flip the fabric, gentle press the seam open with your fingers and put the front part of the iron on the seam and lift the strip slightly ahead of the iron. Once you press and set the seam it will be near impossible to press it open.

I ordered and just got mine last week. I haven't used them yet, but am looking forward to trying it on my OBW.

I have a "finger pressing" tool that a friend, from this board, gave to me. It is a wooden sitck with beveled edge, I lay the project down and finger press the seam open and then use the iron. This has saved me many injured fingers and gives me a nice flat seam every time.

You can make your own pressing stick - just take a wooden clothespin apart & use one half of it. You can make a pressing ham out of a rolled up magazine covered with padding & material - sort of like a rolled up ironing board.

The bamboo pokey thing that comes with a dresden template is great for opening seams and you can use it to lightly press the seam open and the use the point of the iron, no burnt fingers.

That's what I do. Seems to work for me.

Last year I made a Jacob's ladder with hundreds of 4 patches. I had sewed them together and then sat on the sofa and finger pressed the furled seams of the whole pile while I watched (sometimes listened to) TV.. When one pile started to tip over, I started a new pile. The next morning I wasn't sure I would find the seams still in place, but they were perfect. Then it was easy to iron them all.

I have also found that finger pressing lots of seams open while just sitting on the sofa makes it much easier to iron later. Also think of the time saved. It's easier to get the seams open with two hands than with one hand on the iron waiting for the other one to do it alone. And I spend a lot less time with the iron heating. Save the earth!

A sleeve ham is great, and you can also make something similar yourself. Make a tube of fabric, roll up a magazine and insert it in the tube... you have your own, personal "round thingy" to press your opened seams!

These are great and you can make your own using half (not quarter) round from the hardware store. cover with a batting scrap and any old fabric.

A few years ago, I took a class in Strips'n'Curves. The instructor showed us how to lift the seam slightly and press the seam open. As you continue to press the seam open, keep lifting the seam up a bit from the ironing board and keep on pressing ahead. There was no setting of the seam. Then carefully turn over to the other side to press the seam. Works like a charm.