SusieQOH

Hello friends,
I used to sew garments and pressed the seams open but when I learned to quilt it was a big no-no in the quilt world.
I'm rethinking it though and would like your opinions on this. Thanks!

QuiltnNan

it's not wrong to press them open. which ever way you like best is the right way.

SusieQOH

Yes, but what is YOUR opinion?

Blueridgebeverly

The first quilt class I took more than 25 years ago taught to press seams open. I got busy with life and didn’t do anything more with quilting until last year. I took a class at JoAnn’s and the instructor taught to press seams to darker fabric. I took a video class at Craftsy and the instructor taught to alternate directions to match seams. Some YouTube videos I’ve watched said to press seams open when a ‘busy’ block creates bulk. Seems it’s situational.

I’m a newbie to quilting and sewing, so I’m still experimenting. I personally find it easier to nest seams when I alternate direction, but don’t like to see dark fabric seams under lighter fabric. My newbie instincts say it feels more precise/consistent to press seams open.

interesting question.

Mariposa

I prefer to press to the dark side.

Jane Quilter

as a garment seamstress, pressing to the side was awkward, but I was always afraid the batting would work thru the openings of an openly pressed seam (because if I can see the batting, thru the holes, it must be so). The fact that there is less stress on the seam is irrelevant now that we piece by machine and not by hand. Nesting, and Viewing the seam allowance through the fabric, encourages me to press to the dark side. But Bulk wins the day sometimes and I press open. I'm a situational gal.

pewa88

There is a time and place for both. I am a longarm quilter and I tend to press seams open when there will be too much bulk at seam intersections. If the seam is not too bulky I press to the dark side or in such a way as to nest seams.

Onebyone

I press open most of the time. There are no right or wrong ways in making a quilt, only different ways.

grannie cheechee

I press to the dark if the seams aren't too bulky, but do press open at times. The gal that does the LA for me tells me I'm doing A okay with my seams.

Geri B

I press to the dark as a general practice, but sometimes to nest them one may go to the light side. Really if your fabric edges are even, you should not "see" the darker fabric if you press to the light side...if you do see the dark, just trim it back a smidge....and at bulky intersections i do the "fan", as demoed by EB of QIAD..it really works....lthere has been several times I have pressed open....can't remember the pattern though. If the stitch length is tight enough you shouldn't see those sewing threads on the open seam.....