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pressing seams open???
I'm making a baby quilt with a large pieced tractor...[36x 42]..on the front of the quilt. It calls to press open the seams, I have always pressed to the dark side in all my other quilts..
I'm having a problem with pressing the seams open and I keep burning my finger, is there some secret to pressing seams open? It is taking me so long to run my finger into the seam while I press it, sometimes it does not press it flat and have to go back and press some more and then I sometimes burn my finger..GRRRRR anybody know of a faster way to press these seams open without burning your finger and going a little faster, it is driving me crazy.. Maybe someone has a easier way to do this.. Thanks |
I have a little wooden thing I got from Eleanore Burns web site. I use it first then press the seams with my iron. Its called a wooden iron, but does not look like an iron. It really works!!
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I have seen this http://www.thestripstick.com/ and am going to make one for the next time I make a OBW which needs all the seams pressed open.
I also have one of these which you can run over the seam first. http://www.punchwithjudy.com.au/shop/seam-roller.html It does do a pretty good job at pressing the seam even though it is just a wooden roller. Good luck :) |
Here's how do it:
First I press to relax the seam. Then I use my fingertips to open the seam "walking" them along the seam. Then I use my fingernails to "press" the seam open from end to end and back. Last I press right to left using my left index finger to keep the seam open as I carefully left the iron up and over only an inch or so: keep your left index finger at least half an inch away from the tip of the iron. Press slowly! Sounds like it takes a lot of time but once you get in the groove of pressing seams open, it doesn't take any more time than pressing them to the side. |
are you using steam, is that why your fingers are getting burned?
I never use steam until I have the whole top assembled. Or is it just the fabric gets hot while you press and manipulate? Been there done that :) |
another tip - press seam flat, then open up and press to one side as you usually do, then press open. I know it's three steps, but in the end it is a lot less hassle than fighting that seam open.
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i'd check a hardware store first to see if you could get a roller like that for less.
many "quilting tools" are really just cleverly marketed items found in hardware stores for much lower prices. |
Originally Posted by woody
(Post 6955020)
I also have one of these which you can run over the seam first. http://www.punchwithjudy.com.au/shop/seam-roller.html It does do a pretty good job at pressing the seam even though it is just a wooden roller.
Good luck :) |
There is a little metal thing/ring that fits on your index finger tip with a long point for pressing. You could probably do the same thing with a wooden Popsicle stick to hold the seam allowance open while you press.
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I press to set the seam, then open up and open the seam up with my finger for about five inches and press that portion open. After that I use the tip of the iron to open the seam, sliding along slowly and lowering the iron periodically. Had lots of practice from clothing construction, so it goes pretty fast.
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