When "setting" stitching, I understand I am supposed to press the seam flat as sewn before pressing to one side. Is it OK to press all of the seams as they are sewn before pressing to the dark side, or do I have to press while the seam is warm? I am starting a bargello with many seams and I'm looking for a short-cut. In the past, I have just pressed to the side without "setting" the stitching. I don't know if I am using the correct terminology or not, but I hope one of you know what I am trying to say. I watched Fons and Porter this week and they talked about how important it was to "embed" the threads. Thanks for your help.

I love Fons and Porter! I sew and press, then open and press to the dark side. Once you embed the seam, you can press them open later, but it's easy to do it all at one time. In my humble opinion.

it is important to do but I do what you want to do...sew umpteen strips into a strata then press all to set then press all to the side. I've never had a problem that way.

Laurie

The key work here is press not iron. Do it both ways at the same time.
Sue

I honestly can't see a difference when I set a seam first and when I just press to one side. Does anyone else actually see a difference? I'm beginning to think it may depend on the type of thread you use. Now that I am using Aurifil 50wt there seems to be no need at all to "imbed" seams before pressing to one side.

In any case, if you want to "set" seams you can set them whenever you like. The seams do not have to be warm when you press them to one side.