Pressing a disappearing 9 patch
 

The first quilt I ever made was a disappearing 9 patch. The problem I found was that "pressing" to the dark side didn't work for nesting seams. I did the usual dark center, focus fabrics on the corners and white in the middle.

Now, someone has given me some perfect charms for a disappearing 9 patch for a little girl. Lots of pink, purple, yellow and green. I would like to make this for my grand niece.

Is there a way to avoid this pressing problem?

bkay

Don't press anything with an iron until the top is completed. Finger-press the seams as you come to them so they nest. Yes, some of them may end up going one way on one side and the opposite way on the other side. Just squash everything flat after completion. Who's going to see it once it's sandwiched and quilted?

It's been awhile since I made this pattern but I recall that I pressed each row of the 9P the same way. Top & bottom row, press to right, middle press to left. Then when you cut and rearrange the pieces after its sewn, it can be flipped to nest. I may be wrong but you can test this procedure and see how it works

Thank you all so much for the great suggestions!!!

You can flatten the seams with open like in the old days. I have had no trouble when I some times have as many a 8 pieces and gently flatten them open and press with the hot steam iron. Works for me.

I've made the disappearing 9-patch, and I pressed every seam open. In fact, I always press my seams open. Works fine for me.

I am not sure your message is clear. Can you make it clearer to "dufosses" like me?

I would press seams open and sew with shorter stitch length.

It is not a firm law that everything must be pressed to the dark. It is a good rule to try to live by mostly because it a good habit and it has less chance for the seam to show through. But, sometimes it doesn't work that way. In the same way that sometimes they don't nest and sometimes they twist. When this happens, the problem is the bulk when quilting. But, if it only happens a bit, or you press really well, it isn't too difficult and no one will see it. We are are own worst critics!

I was just watching a video last night on 9-patch and Jordan Fabrics( not affiliated) showed how to press your blocks! Check it out on you tube!