I've been quilting for quite a few years. Until recently I was unaware of the practice of setting the seam with your iron before you press the seam to one side.

I don't know why we are supposed to do it, but I am convinced that I am having more luck with accuracy since I started setting my seams.

Anyone know the rationale to setting the seam?

I am not sure why it works, but I agree that it does. I also tend to press my fabrics when I align them to sew them together. It helps to prevent shifting. I believe it holds better than pins, unless I have to align seams.

I didn't know about this until recently either; sure does make a difference. And I was pressing seams from the back because I thought it would work better...who knew? (Well apparently a lot of people knew, just not me!) :lol:

The rationale is that it helps sink the thread into the fabric, instead of just sitting on top.

Can someone please explain how you set the seams?

Press the seam while it is still closed, then press it open. I also have started starching my seams when I press them open. It seems to make them lay flatter.

Thank you!!

I "set" my seams now and find it really does make a difference a teacher at a course told us to do this many years ago she said you need to "sink the thread" to press sharper seams.I couldn't see the point of extra work then but now I do!She was a remarkable teacher and taught us so much.

I set and use a tailor's clapper to make the seam flat. You won't know the difference until you use one. I also use the Steady Betty. My blocks are perfectly flat and the cut fabric pieces are never distorted by pressing. Little details make a big difference.

I was wondering the samething. I'm glad you finally asked.

I agree with Maria

what's a steady betty?

I have found that setting the seams does work better, but what is a steady Betty?

Thanks for the replies. Sinking the stitches into the fabric by pressing makes sense. Now I just have to get into the habit.

Steady betty is not in my budget, but I find if I put a terry towel on the ironing board before I press the seams, that it grabs the fabric a tiny bit and the pressing is more efficient.

I'm sure the steady betty would be better, but this is working for me. My accuracy is greatly improved.

I bought the Steady Betty at JoAnn's with a 50% off coupon. I never pay full price for quilting items.

There 40% off online coupon code good until Oct 30 is HPE303
Steady Betty sizes:

http://www.joann.com/joann/search/se...questid=214462

I just recently started setting my seams too. Maybe they didn't do it years and years ago. But it does help and makes the seams lay flatter.

i use steam a lot.

I do it because the gal that taught our class said to do it. It just makes a much neater seam when you press then to the right or left to nestle into the next row at the seam.

I have pressed my seams first as well, and I found that it indeed, did make a difference.

Thanks for the info.

I am not exactly sure, but I think that when setting seams, the heat allows the fabric pore to open and the thread knot becomes embedded in the fabric as is cools and tightens again. Should make for a more secure seam. I almost always set seams before pressing.

Think of it like blocking a knitted sweater.

Not sure what a Tailor's clapper or a Steady Betty is, and where can you get these items?
Janet

I find when I set the seams first, the heat from that first press helps the seamline to press out flat when you press the seam allowances to one side (usually the dark side).

When in 4-h and home eco we were taught to press the seams first, too. 1960's

Thank you soooooomuch for that code. I immediately order the Steady Betty and got 40% off. Where do you get the codes?

I set seams but never thought of why, just that I have always done it that way. I think the first quilt teacher I had told me to do it and I didn't think to question as it worked.

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Yes, setting the seam flattens the thread you just sewed with, and allows the fold to be sharper.

I learned this from Alex Anderson's "Simply Quilts" program. It does help. Remember press, don't iron! Pressing is just up and down, not sliding the iron.

I was still in the dark. Found this - hope it helps others.

Pressing to Set Seams
An Easy Way to Make Accurate Quilt Blocks
About.com Guide
See More About:pressing basicsquilt block constructionBefore you press a seam allowance to one side, put your iron down on it flat, just as it was sewn. Don't move the iron back and forth--let its weight do the work for you. This step "sets" the seam, flattening puckers that occurred when it was sewn.

Also found this: Setting a seam
The first pressing of the seam as it comes from the sewing machine to lock threads together, smooth out puckers, and even out minor thread tension differences before pressing the seam open or to one side.

Thank you for this topic. I learned somethin' today.

SaraSewing, thank you for this reply. I learned something today, too! :-D

Thanks also for everyone else you chimed in.

Ironing the seam first sorta' sets the stitches down into the fabric. If you have ripped out a seam which you ironed that way, you probably noticed that the stitches were harder to pick up with the ripper because they were buried.

Hello everyone! My name is Sheila and I live in Alabama. My grandmother taught me to quilt 30+ years ago. She was a little "rustic" and made her patterns out of brown paper grocery bags. Things have changed alot and I have learned so many tips since those days. Initially I never ironed a seam and wow!....is there a big advantage to doing so but I need clarification please. Do you press the seam to one side THEN open it up & press to lay flat? I always just pressed to one side but would like to know which way is better. Thanks!

Now I fully understand the Steady Betty. Time to work on the Tailor's Clapper. LOL

so the tailor's clapper is like a wooden press for your seam. OK. I do have a seam stick, so I think I will just try using that for now. Sticks are free, lol. I got mine out of the yard. DH sanded it nice and smoothe for me and it works great. Smiles and Hugs,

Fons & Porter recommend this method - since they've been quilting a LOT longer than I have, I tried their method and use it whenever I remember. It's the little things that make a difference, but it takes so much longer!

Yes, please clarify. I, too, am not sure I understand how the seam lies when you first press it. I've just always pressed to one side. Are you pressing it open first, then to one side? Sorry that I'm thick-headed!

I've made over 100 quilts and comforters, have tried setting seams and don't think it makes a difference. Sometimes I do sometimes I don't. I can't tell the difference.