Some people say to press the seam to the dark side... (Yoda would not like that!) Sorry just had to do that!
Other people say to press them open flat!
Is there a time when 1 way is right? How do I know when to use which one or is it just a matter of preference??
I'm so confused!! :roll:

It is a matter of preference (90% of the time). You have to take in consideration on the bulk of the block and where your quilting will be.

I like doing the seams to one side because I have better luck matching and locking the seams.

If you have a bunch of seams coming together in one spot - say a pin wheel you will want to be careful how you press the seams. But other then that it is personal preference .

I was told back in the day before sewing machine and strong stitches they pressed to one side, usually the dark side 1- to hide the fabric so it didn't stick out from under the lighter color and 2- the when you quilted it you didn't pull on any weaker seams. Does that make sense ?

Ok cool! Thanks

I look through this forum every morning now (never used to be on the computer much at all) and learn something new AND everyone is so supportive of each other. What a great place to visit at the start of my day.
Annie

I like to try to lock the seams too...so if you press toward the dark, it works out..sometimes though you may want to press them open..when lots of seams come together you get a big volcano...you can gently unstitch a couple of the stitches in the middle and they sit flatter..

I press to the side most of the time, trying to plan ahead so I don't end up with bulky seams. If there is too much bulk, I will press them open.
You can't always press to the dark, in some blocks it will give you 6 layers of fabric, so you might have to press them open or to the lighter side :D:D:D

Just remember...there are no rules. :D
I usually press open but sometimes I press to the dark then wonder
why I did that. LOL
If you press open you don't have to worry about which directions.
You distribute the bulk evenly.

I used to press to one side all the time. Lately, I have been pressing open and like it better, especially when there are triangle pieces involved.

When I have to piece the backing,I press open. Also when I have seams meeting, I like to have the edges going in opposite directions, so will change the direction of the press if I can. It's all personal preference

when I learned to quilt (uh, can it be 30 years ago now - holy cow THAT went fast???) I was taught to press the seams open. later I learned to press to the dark side. you know what, it doesn't matter. it is personal preference. mine is now pressing to the side as I love the locking seams as I challenge myself to cut accurately and have corners and points match ( my motto is doing go crazy, but don't get lazy) and it is easier for me to see how I am doing when I press to the side. I don't worry too much about dark/light side - I work more on matching seams. if you are using good quality greiege goods (heavy thread count fabric) then the shadow of a light/dark shouldn't be an issue. after all the quilts I've made I never had someone be able to tell how I pressed the seams.

play, have fun and try new things, you'll determine what works best for you.

My LQS told me if u were sending a quilt top to the Longarm u should press all seams open, but when I actually talked to Renee( the longarm lady ) she said no way, always press to the side, esp if quilting in the ditch.....so I am going to listen to her because she is doing the work and has the skills. Maybe, if u r sending it out, u could talk to ur longarm quilter for answers?

when I first started quilting, I pressed seams open. It seemed to be quite a project.
I had read somewhere on this board that pressing to the side was ok too.
I have since done that. I think my seam is stronger that way, since when I sew my blocks, I don't back stitch ( read this on the board as well)

Definitely personal preference.

Thanks for all the replies!!! I tried both ways and I like the pressing part of to the dark side but when it comes to sewing the parts together...I like the open way! Thanks again for all the replies.

Ha Ha I like your motto...
Now my question is are you going crazy because of the the doing?