Rhonda Lee

I usually nest my seams when matching them and sewing them together. This has worked very well for me. However, the matching of seams is more difficult when I press seams open and stitch them together. Anyone have a trick or two when matching the seams that have been pressed open? I don't know why this is a problem for me. I have had years of experience and still struggle with it.

GrammaNan

I stopped pressing my seams open for that reason. I stick a straight pin through the seam of the first piece then line the pieces up and stick it through the second seam where they meet. I pinch the pieces together where they meet then pin it on both sides of the original pin. I hope this makes sense, it has worked for me.

quiltingcandy

Use a glue stick. Just a dab to put them together. I then use the Clover clips to hold them together until I can sew it.
Once the glue is dry it will hold together, so you don't have to leave the clips on, I just do.

Barb_MO

That was what I was going to suggest, except glue stick isn't my favorite, I like to use Aleene's no sew glue, just a little dab (I use a toothpick to put it on with) pinch the seams together and sew. There is no waiting for it to dry.

DogHouseMom

I do what GrammaNan does.

Ahhh ... found a tutorial with pictures.
http://craftnectar.com/2012/02/22/1-...ligning-seams/

bearisgray

I also have trouble getting seams to match when I press the seams open.

I also do like GrammaNan when I do press the seams open.

NJ Quilter

I press my seams open all the time and do it this way as well. Find that my blocks lay much flatter and I have better luck with things lining up with this method vs the nesting method when pressed to the side.

dakotamaid

I use both methods, press to the side or press open. Depends on the project and how many seams are coming together. There is no right or wrong way. When pressing open and trying to line up seams I either use a double pin or I pin on the down side of the seam. I match up with a pin in the seams themselves then use another pin to pin together on the side that will be sewn last as you run your stitching line across the intersection. Clear as mud?

ManiacQuilter2

I only press open my seams when it is necessary to spread the bulk. I prefer nesting my seams because I believe that these seams are preferred for the endurance of the quilt to survive longer especially with frequent washing. Call me old school but then why are older quilt done with the press to the side.

dakotamaid

Pressing to the side was because so many quilts were hand stitched and not as sturdy as machine stitching. I agree with the press open on quilts that will get a lot of use. I also agree that it depends on the bulk of the seam being stitched as I mentioned above. I do wall hangings mostly pressed open unless I'm planning on stitching in the ditch, than that is not feasible as the stitch in the ditch has no where to "hang" for lack of a better word.