Which way should I press my seams?
 

I was wondering how I should press my seams. Should I press them open or to the side?
I'm planning on stitching in the ditch around all of my blocks.

Thanks :thumbup:

If you're planning to stitch in the ditch, I would press to one side. Otherwise you're stitching over just threads and air.

I never press open unless there are multiple layers of fabric all meeting at the same spot. And, it varies whether I press to the light or dark. That choice is made such that when I butt the seams - the bulk of the seam allowances go in opposite directions.

To the side, my open seams never want to play nice and lay on top of each other. I depend on them "locking" in.

To stitch in the ditch I would press to the side.

I'll be odd man out here. I almost always press open. And versus SID, I usually quilt 1/4" from the seam. I hand quilt and, regardless of how good/horrible it may be, want my quilting to show.

I find that it's easier for me to match seams/points when pressing open. Your mileage may vary. Do a couple of test samples and see which works best for you.

I use both methods and have good results.
I am new to QB . I enjoy reading all the posts. I have already learned a lot of all of you.

I would do whatever the pattern says some patterns have you press a certain way so seams can lock. It is ultimately your choice.I might only press open if there was a lot of bulk in a seam

How funny! I'm exactly the opposite! :D

In my quilting class they taught us to press to the side, and stitch in the "ditch" side--the one side of the seam that is slightly lower because it doesn't have the seam allowances under it. Or in other words, stitch on the side of the seam that is opposite the pressed seam allowances.

I have been using both methods depending on how many pieces of fabric meet at an intersection. Open for lots of material and to the "dark" side on other squares. I really, really tried to press to the side but the 8 pieces of fabric at one point made me change my ways when it comes to those seams. Open press those and all others to the side.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by NJ Quilter http://www.quiltingboard.com/images/...post-right.png
I find that it's easier for me to match seams/points when pressing open.
Peckish added: How funny! I'm exactly the opposite! :D

I'm like Peckish, it is easier for me to match seams when pressed to the side. I let the design of the block/quilt be the determining factor. In some patterns I even don't follow the pattern directions because the designer just hadn't thought it through from my point of view, but rather out of habit.

I agree. I couldn't have said it any better !!!