Ironing seams
06-02-2012, 11:12 PM
#11
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Holmen, WI
Posts: 6,459
I iron my seams open because it eliminates the fold over pleat and since I have started to press the seams open and use very thin piecing and bobbin thread, my sewn pieces are the correct size and my blocks piece together so much better. I know the reasons given for pressing to one side but it's only necessary in some cases.
06-02-2012, 11:14 PM
#12
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Holmen, WI
Posts: 6,459
The other advantage... you don't have to do all that figuring about which seams goes what way. I see Eleanor Burns on TV & she's explaining how this one has to go this way so it will lock with the one that goes that way... forget that noise. Press them open & then you can just line the sewing lines up... voila!
06-03-2012, 03:32 AM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
I also press them to one side. First I set the seam and then to press to the darkest. I've never had a pleat problem. Pressing them to one side keeps the batting from ever coming thru the seams in the future with washings and wear.
06-03-2012, 12:24 PM
#15
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
I have examined quilts I still have around from ten and more years ago that I pressed the seams open. No batting has come out the seams so far and I used a lot of fluffy poly batting found back then. No broken threads either. I use a small stitch length. Most of the quilts I made then were made from Walmart fabric blends, poly batting and 40wt thread that cost 2 spools for $1. Still looking good! Not heirloom of course but they are used a lot.
06-03-2012, 12:49 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Western New York
Posts: 524
A long time quilting friend suggested I use a chop stick when pressing seams open. Next time we went out for chinese food, I asked for chopsticks and have used those since. Works great and no cost (other than the dinner, lol)
06-03-2012, 01:26 PM
#17
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
I had DH glue 2pieces of quarter round together to make a pressing tool for pressing seams open. This makes a nice little flat area on the top just the right size form the seams to lay. Got the idea here on QB. He just brought home some more so we can make several in different lengths for differen pressing surfaces and/or block sizes.
heheh..did you follow my direction?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...l-t176984.html
06-03-2012, 01:27 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,501
I love this little simple item. It's flexible I can feel the seam and no more ouch! http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?prod_id=269
06-04-2012, 05:33 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: South Alabama
Posts: 711
When hand quilting, if you want to stitch-in-the-ditch, you need to press the seams to one side. There is just no real "ditch" if you press the seams open. For hand quilters, I would say it depends on how you want to quilt it whether you press open or to one side. I also find that pressing to one side to form "locking" seams when joining pieces makes my piecing much more accurate. So I still vote for pressing to one side most of the time. I just press carefully to avoid that pleat.
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