Seams-do you iron them open or to the darkest side?
05-03-2011, 04:51 AM
#42
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rosedale, Indiana
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It depends on the quilt. Some quilts that have lots of pieces in the block that creat a lot of bulk and it is preferential to press them open. That way you don't have to nest them in opposite directions when sewing the blocks together.
05-03-2011, 05:18 AM
#44
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 26,122
I always feel like the seams are weaker if pressed open. When pressed to the side, then quilted on, there is more strength. Of course, the fabric will wear out before the seams come open, so it doesn't really matter, just my personal phobia...
05-03-2011, 05:22 AM
#45
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 185
Originally Posted by amandasgramma
To the dark side. It keeps the batting from showing thru. Also -- if someone does a stitch in the ditch, then you need it to one side. I do longarm quilting, having the seams to one side does not bother me at all -- the "bulk" isn't a problem unless you've got 6 points at one corner. And even then, I use a hammer and pound the fabric down. Very seldom does it cause my machine to jerk out of line.
05-03-2011, 05:44 AM
#46
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Shipshewana, IN
Posts: 775
I press my seams to one side as I was taught taking quilting classes many years ago. We were taught that it locks in the stitches and makes your seams stronger. Pressing seams open makes them more venerable to coming undone or stitches opening up over the years of use/cleaning. But clearly it is a matter of opinion or choice and you should do what is comfortable to you.
05-03-2011, 05:50 AM
#47
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 1,853
Originally Posted by amandasgramma
To the dark side. It keeps the batting from showing thru. Also -- if someone does a stitch in the ditch, then you need it to one side. I do longarm quilting, having the seams to one side does not bother me at all -- the "bulk" isn't a problem unless you've got 6 points at one corner. And even then, I use a hammer and pound the fabric down. Very seldom does it cause my machine to jerk out of line.
05-03-2011, 06:08 AM
#49
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: North Kansas City, MO
Posts: 561
Been quilting fo 10 years and my teachers, Alex Anderson's TV show and her guests, always pressed to the dark. Recently quilters seem to be favoring "pressing open" to reduce bulk, especially at joining points. I keep saying I'm going to start pressing open, but I keep forgetting to do so:>)
Pressing to the dark added more stability to the seam, less likely that threads would break and open the seams. Now with adjustable seam lengths and a variety of thread strengths - not so much of a problem.
Pressing to the dark added more stability to the seam, less likely that threads would break and open the seams. Now with adjustable seam lengths and a variety of thread strengths - not so much of a problem.
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