Trip around the world - how to press blocks
 

Tell me what you do as far as pressing your blocks in a TAW.

I press my seams together, and I'm not going to press them open, but if you do, I'm interested to hear why.

So, do you press toward the darker fabric?
or
Do you press all the columns the same direction, going opposite the next column to achieve that nice little, fit-together affect, even if you'll have seam show through?

RST

I alternate pressing of the rows. Top row- everything goes to the left . Next row everything goes to the right.

I also alternate them. I just like it when they "fit together."

Dina

Is three a crowd?? Because I agree. I also alternate them because I want my seams to "fit together". Less bulk = easier to quilt !! The old saying is to press to the dark so the seam won't show but there are exceptions to every rule. Remember the I before E except after C?? The reason it use to be unpopular to press seams open is because batting would beard thru the open seam and let me tell you, THAT is something you don't want to deal with. Battings have fortunately improved since the dark ages of quilting during the 70s. ;-)

I alternate them also. Feeling the corners "nest" is so satisfying … and so helpful with precision!

Ok -- consensus. Alternating, in order to get that lovely nesting lock, and the resulting perfect corners. I have some really big contrasts in my current project, so I am afraid there will be the dread seam allowance show through, but maybe it won't be too noticeable.

RST

Alternate here also, but I've trimmed the seam allowance as close as comfortable on the drastic contrast dark side at times. Depends on how annoyed I am at the time. Annoyed enough, trim. Not, meh it's part of quilting.

I alternate also. Pressing the seams open makes it harder for me to match up the seam intersections. Try both ways to see what works for you.

Smart a$$ answer ~ duh, with a iron!

I just quickly read the question and that popped into my head. sorry

even though your seam allowance seems to show a lot now, quite often when you get the batting behind it it isn't as noticeable.