Why..
#41
I agree with momymom about reducing the bulk when all seams converge in the center of a dresden type circle and the pressed to the dark side to prevent slowing through. The prefernce is your's becasue there are no quilt police to arrest you. LOL
Andie
Andie
#42
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Macon, Ga
Posts: 272
I think the idea to press the seams to one side is held over from days with quilters hand pieced, and that made the seam stronger. But with the wonderful machines we have today, and the stitches are secure, to press open evens out the bulk.
#43
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Galveston Texas
Posts: 1,596
I think this is one of those wash/don't wash type of discussions. Do it the way you want. I do have doubts about pressing open when you quilt QID, you will catch no fabric. I also like the idea of making the seam as strong as possible. I do press open the stem of a Y seam. In ready made the seams that have a lot of stress are usually reinforced some way.
#44
I was told that if you pressed yoour seam to the side instead of open, it could withstand more stress. Also, on your backing it is better if you have to sew 2 pieces together to make it wide enough, you should put a solid piece in the middle and split the other one and sew to each side because most of the stress happens in the middle. I don't know if this is actually true, but that is why I do it. :thumbup:
#45
If you press all the seams open, then stitch on the machine, a certain number (lots) will flip over to one side anyway. Also, if you are able to 'nest' your seams, you get crisp points. However, if you want to press them open, go ahead. It's your quilt, and there is always more than one way to do everything. Make it easy on yourself.
#46
It's just ever so much easier to press to one side. And always press seam so that they nest when rows are sewn together. Try pressing 1/4 inch seams open and you'll burn your fingers. And they won't come out straight.
Hugs,
Cynthia
Hugs,
Cynthia
#47
Originally Posted by Spring
Why are the seams pressed to the side rather then pressed open like in garment construction?
I did it but Im loosing sleep as to why.
Also am I correct in my thinking that each row should be pressed opposite direction?
I did it but Im loosing sleep as to why.
Also am I correct in my thinking that each row should be pressed opposite direction?
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Jeffersonville, In
Posts: 2,621
Also because our ancestors pieced by hand and it did make the seam stronger because there was less stress on the stitiching.
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
Mostly because we do things the way our ancestors did. They pressed seams all to one side to keep the batting in. Batting wasn't bonded or needle punched, it was just carded cotton laid on the backing. Plus hand sewn seams have little tiny gaps in the stitching if they're pressed open.
Carded cotton is sort of combed between two wide flat brush type things. They pull all the cotton fibers in one direction.
Carded cotton is sort of combed between two wide flat brush type things. They pull all the cotton fibers in one direction.
#49
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Murrells Inlet, SC
Posts: 153
I just read today that the seams are pressed to the darker material, unless they just want to be pressed the other direction. The reason is so that the batting does not come through the stitches to the front of the quilt during construction and use. Sounds sensible to me. Was reading an old quilting basics book while I was siting for 4 hours with an alzhimers patient. Do this every Thursday so his wife gets a break. The book was the first one I ever bought, "Quilters Complete Guide", by Fons and Porter. Very good information.
#50
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Murrells Inlet, SC
Posts: 153
I just read today that the seams are pressed to the darker material, unless they just want to be pressed the other direction. The reason is so that the batting does not come through the stitches to the front of the quilt during construction and use. Sounds sensible to me. Was reading an old quilting basics book while I was siting for 4 hours with an alzhimers patient. Do this every Thursday so his wife gets a break. The book was the first one I ever bought, "Quilters Complete Guide", by Fons and Porter. Very good information.
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