dunster

The reason I don't press seams open (other than the tendency to burn my fingers) is that stitches may occasionally pop loose. If that happens on a seam that has been pressed open, the batting is immediately exposed, and it is very difficult to repair the seam. However if the seam has been pressed to the side, the batting is not exposed, and it is easy to stitch the seam back together.

Jordan

I agree with everyone that she needs to make her stitch length shorter. Maybe you need to gently explain to her that you are not able to quilt for her if she can't make some changes herself by pressing both seams to one side. I do understand that there are times when pressing open seams is needed like lessening bulk in the intersections of the blocks. I am sure it is frustrating for you to quilt and then have seams pull apart.

Onebyone

I usually press my seams open and the LA quilter I sometime use never says there is a problem. She is a good friend and will tell me not to do something if it causes her a problem. She has said many times she prefers the seams to be pressed opened. I am guessing the seams are the problem, the stitch length is too long or the piecing thread is poor quality. I don't understand how someone can use a low quality thread to sew high quality fabric but I see it all the time in classes and at sew days.

Rhonda K

Thank you Iceblossom for a great explanation. I always learn something from your posts.

I press to the dark side on most seams. I twirl the intersections if it can be done. Sometimes, I even press a cross seam. One part starts one way and the next one is the other way. So I will do a pressing that changes directions in the half-way point of the seams. That might be naughty but it works for me.

By the way, my LA quilter has quilted my quilts with some seams pressed open. Can you show the person a sample sandwich and why the stitch length needs to be shorter? This seems like a perfect opportunity to communicate and show the reasons why to the quilter.

Good luck!

juliasb

There are some quilt patterns that state to press the seams open but the majority will stress to press toward the dark side so the light side of the fabric doesn't show through and the seams are hidden and strengthened. Over time she may change her mind but for now there is nothing you can do. Many of us quilters are head strong <sigh>.

Pagzz

My only problem with seams pressed open is I can't stitch in the ditch. Otherwise I don't care. Besides shortening her stitch perhaps have her stay stitch around the perimeter of the quilt if it is the edges are were the seams are popping.

Stitchnripper

I stitch in the ditch with seams pressed open. As Iceblossom and others have said, just use a shorter stitch length. Leah Day, I believe, did some experimenting and found her pressed open seams were just fine with ditch stitching and a shorter seam length. I like pressing open. Much flatter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv0iqnvmLOo If anyone is interested in her podcast about it.

Peckish

Count me as another one who wonders about not *just* the stitch length, but also the tension. Does she not care about the end result when you show her what happens? That has me scratching my head.

Jingle

I prefer to press to one side. Pressing tiny allowances open takes me longer and I run the chance of burning my fingers.
I use to make clothes for me and my kids so I learned to use a shorter stitch length. Much easier than mending the seams later. I still use a smaller stitch than some.

P-BurgKay

I press my seams open mostly all the time. I use a 1.5 stitch length. Yes they are a pain when I have to unsew, but to me it is worth it. My seams don't come open. But everyone has their own opinion.