I would like to thank all you board members for your very warm welcome to this new comer. I was pleased with the many comments I recieved when I introduced myself. What a great day!! I did not have to look very far for the quilting men, they are finding me. What a great group of men and ladies. As I said in the chat room I will send some photos of my quilts when I replace the camera my grandson broke. I am currently designing a whole cloth quilt with an americana theme, and getting ready to cut and piece an art deco theme quilt. I have one question today for you---do you iron the seams open are to one side? Thanks again for the warm welcome. Glenn :D :D

Hi Glenn and welcome! I almost always iron to the darker side of my fabrics. However, in some cases you do have to iron your seams open to take away some of the bulk. Hope this helps you!

Thanks this does help. Glenn :D

I read an article that said when you hand piece it is important to press seams to one side because it helps to strengthen a seam that might not have been so well sewn, but if you machine piece it is perfectly okay to press the seams open if you prefer and it does substantially reduce bulk. There are no quilt police so try it both ways and see which you like best.

Thanks for the info, I never knew this much help was around.
Glenn :D

I press to one side. When I learned, I was told to press on the FRONT of the block, because that's the part that shows. So, pressing open would be virtually impossible that way. I usually press "out" from the center, with little regard for light/dark. But then again, my light colors are usually never white or ivory...I might have to change my thinking if/when I do that...

to the dark side and welcome from colorado!!

Hi Glenn and welcome! I always heard that the two reasons for quilters pressing to the dark side was, first so that the seam allowance wouldn't show through on the light side of the block and the second reason was that for quilting "in the ditch" it would be easier because if all the bulk was on one side it would make a uniform channel to quilt in.
Heidi

Yup, this place has a lot of great quilters who are more than happy to help and share.

I usually press my seams to one side.