I started by trying to press my seams open, but they didn't work well that way...so I pressed them in a way that made sense to me. The little blocks do seem stiff because they are small with lots of seams in them and I also sprayed mine with Best Press prior to cutting them to size with the DJ ruler. There is soooo much fabric inside this quilt..actually more than there is on the outside if you think about it. Its also very very heavy..or at least mine is.