Quiltingboard Forums - Pressing Seams to the side or open???

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)

- Main (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/)

- - Pressing Seams to the side or open??? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/pressing-seams-side-open-t153846.html)

I am just finishing my first OBW. I pressed the seams to the side and had a terrible time sewing the hexagons together (thank goodness this was a cheap-fabric-learning-experience top for my own use) . I went back to the tutorial here, and the person said to press the seams open (guess I missed that the first time I read it). In this case, it makes sense. Otherwise I also press to the side and light to dark.

Another reason to press to the side is the batting will not migrate out of the seam. If you use poly batts they beard anyway and it is more of an opening to do this.

I very seldom press open and it is generally to avoid bulkiness. I think the seam that is pressed open is weaker.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenelTX

Quote:

Originally Posted by pineneedles4

Have you ever pressed open the seams? Did you like the results on the finished quilt? What is your experience?

I'm very inexperienced, but I do remember reading in one of the quilting books I've read that seams pressed open are not as strong as seams pressed to one side. Just something to factor into your decision.

I don't know if I buy this. Seams for clothing have been pressed open for years. These seams can get a lot of 'abuse', certainly not as much as a quilt. I sometimes press mine open and sometimes to the side. Not sure why I'm so inconsistent!

Quote:

Originally Posted by clem55

Since I learned and did most of my sewing making garments, a pressed open seam was a natural. I never had problems matching seam lines where necessasry. When I stasrted making quits, I followed the rules about pressing to the side. For me this seemed to present more problems matching the seams, because no matter, I always seemed to end up with some blocks with the pressed seams going the same way at the joint. I have also noticed at times that while I thought I had the seam pressed flat. I sometimes had a little fold . Those little folds cause a problem if you get too many in a block. I am thinking I may go back to pressing seams open. I really don't understand the " stronger" issue at all. I have a pretty broad rear-end and my pressed open seams have held together darn good with the "pull" they get. LOL

I'm with you. Started garment sewing too many years ago to count. Always pressed seams open and never had a 'strength' issue with intersecting seams. I tried the 'to the side' pressing when I started quilting and just didn't like the results when matching seams either. I have been pressing all my seams open for years now when quilting. Works much better for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grdmachris

Another reason to press to the side is the batting will not migrate out of the seam. If you use poly batts they beard anyway and it is more of an opening to do this.

This is one good reason to press to the side. The other one is if you SID for quilting. Then you have to press them to the side. Otherwise you can't stitch in the ditch.

I interchange - depending on purpose, colours and bulk.

I like to press open because it makes the block flatter and more even. It can be hard to do with the quarter inch but it is worth the time and trouble.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwilter11

The instructions for a scrappy quilt said to press the seams open. I'd never done it before, but it worked beautifully. I'm considering pressing them all open from now on (but it is a pain to to do) because I have a hard time getting my points to match when there's that big hump to go over.

It really depends on what you are sewing. I made pinwheel blocks this weekend and I pressed the HST to the dark, then after I had sewn two HST blocks together I pressed the middle seam open. Then I sewed the two halves together and pressed the seams open. It created a lot less bulk at the middle. You need to play with pressing your seam each way and decide for yourself which way works.

[quote=PaperPrincess]I think it's a situation of the proper technique for the proper job. If you are doing straight seams that will meet, pressing to one side to 'lock' the seam when they meet works well. Pressing open or twirling intersections reduces bulk on pinwheels, stars etc.

As far as the long arm quilters, the only thing I've heard is to always press the backing seams open, not necessarily all the piecing seams.

Here's a good tutorial on pressing on this board:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-149984-1.htm[/quote

I press seams so I can lock them like this tutorial :thumbup: