MsEithne

People who think handsewn seams are weak haven't ever worn a dress with a hand-picked zipper! Or checked out the interior of a bespoke (men's) suit jacket (almost completely handsewn with very little machine sewing except for the topstitching). Handsewn seams are plenty strong, particularly in an application where the layers of fabric will be quilted together, which is the classic way to stabilise anything.

The only reason to press to one side that I've read that makes sense to me is that if your batting has a tendency towards bearding, the gaps between the stitches are always bigger than the gaps between the threads in the fabric.

Since most battings of reasonable quality these days don't beard, I think seam allowances should be pressed whichever way makes sense in context.

earthwalker

I have done both...but because I often work with fiddly shapes or odd fabrics open works better for me most of the time.

MelodyWB

I do both..depending on the quilt..do what works for the pattern !!

monkicat

I let the seems lie where they want to. Whatever work best for the pattern!

quilticing

Pressing seams open helps keep those pesky dark threads under the dark piece.

QuiltnNan

i usually press to the dark, but there are occasions that pressing open is more desired.

romanojg

99% of the time I press them to the side; I was told the reason for this was that over time the batting can sometimes come up thru the seams when pressed open. I don't know if this is true w/the batting we use today but why push fate. There are times that seams don't want to lay flat when pressed to one side and you need to do them open. I only do this when all the steam in the world isn't going to make them lay flat.

SparkMonkey

I usually press open simply because I prefer the way they lie. Also, I hand-quilt and if I need to quilt across a seam, I prefer fewer layers to quilt through. However, if the seam allowance is going to show through or if I really, really need that seam to nest snugly, I'll press to the side.

PaperPrincess

Popular topic recently. Lots of info here:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-133318-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-133239-1.htm
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-132245-1.htm

susie-susie-susie

I usually press to the dark side. If a lot of seams come together, I will press open. I find that the intersections nest better if they are pressed to one side. I always felt that it made the seam stronger, and the batting wouldn't migrate through. I also used to back stitch at the beginning and end of a piece--I don't do that anymore, but it was hard to break the habit left over from years of garment sewing.
Sue