Setting the Seam...Why?
01-11-2014, 02:46 PM
#11
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Reno, Nv
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All great answers. And, the quilt is completely square when you are finished setting all the blocks together. That makes a big difference in the quilt after it is washed or as a matter of fact, quilting it or putting on the binding.
01-11-2014, 02:59 PM
#13
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Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
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You know how sometimes you run your fingernail down a seam to ease the sense of 'gathering' or along a fold of a piece of paper because it makes it "sharper"? That's why I "set the seam" before pressing the block/strip open. Just makes it look a bit neater and easier to abut the seams when joining to another section or clock. 
Jan in VA
Jan in VA
01-11-2014, 03:51 PM
#14
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Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
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You can try this. Sew 2 patches together, now just unsew them by clipping the stitches from one side or the other. Should be pretty easy to grab the stitches with your seam ripper. Now sew them together again, and this time set the seam. If you try and unpick the seam it will be more difficult because the thread has embedded itself into the fabric a bit.
01-12-2014, 04:39 AM
#16
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
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I think "quilt pros" set a seam if and when another piece of the block, or another seam is going to be attached to it, just makes for more accurate piecing. At least it works that way for me.
01-12-2014, 05:49 AM
#17
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Liberty, Indiana
Posts: 129
Why? Because I'm the mommy! In garment sewing I was advised to set the seam if a long seam looked puckered. The setting took out the stretchiness. That could carry over to a much shorter seam, even if you do not actually see that it has stretched a bit. I actually do it both ways, expecially if it is on the bias. This may be one for Myth Busters.
01-12-2014, 06:04 AM
#18
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,148
I think it makes my seam lay flatter since the thread is embedded in the fabric. It may seem like more work to set the seam but it really is not since you already have the iron above the fabric. Pretty easy to QUICKLY press seam flat, turn fabric over and press seam to side from the right side of the fabric. I do not press seam open since I do not like to burn my fingers. Remember there are no quilt police!!!!
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