TanyaL

I have repaired blocks in a quilt my grandmother made before WW I. The material had worn out in a few places. They were stitched by hand with 1/4" seams, pressed open and the batting never showed. They were quilted by hand and backed by pieced flour sacks, also pressed open. These were utility quilts, used on the bed for warmth. The quilting was a cross hatching of 2" squares.

EagarBeez

I am currently pressing blocks I made for a log cabin quilt. I made a point of when I was sewing the seams. I stitched them open. It's been a little easier to get a start on opening the seams. It still is taking time to press the seams open, but, it helps

feffertim

I agree that pressing to one side is important if you are going to stitch in the ditch, but otherwise I like to press open. I have a mini clover iron which makes it much easier to press.

Doreen

I like pressing to one side. If you are piecing it is easier to match the seams and the butt up.

tlclifford47

I always press to the dark side. It makes for a neater block. That way I have the option to hand quilt or have it Long Armed.

mjmarsh

It has been mentioned above but will give my own opinion anyway. I have done it both ways but when it comes to the actual quilting (longarming), it is much easier to quilt when the seams are pressed to one side. When the seams are pressed open, it is so very difficult to get really good, accurate SID - single stitch wobbles are not unusual and if you are dealing with a show quilt, that is unacceptable and frogging is all too common. When the seams are pressed to the side, it is much easier to get a stitch line so very close to the seam on the low side that is is sometimes almost impossible to see. It is also easier to keep those lines straight. When SID'ing, the use of a fine matching thread (to fabric) or monopoly thread is also very important. SID is not necessarily a true SID like we think in home sewing, but rather a line of sewing to keep the quilt layers in place. I love SID for how it can really make a design element pop - especially when heavier stitching is used around the main design element. I will admit that for some quilting designs it is best to open the seams to allow for better matching of seams as well as decreased bulk - For that reason I have been know to mix methods during the piecing process but still try to avoid open seams whenever possible - I longarm all my own quilts and try to keep the headaches to a total minimum. When I do have a quilt with all or mostly open seams, I do not do SID if at all possible!!! So, for those of you who send your quilt tops out for quilting, this might give you some insight as to why certain methods are preferred by your quilter. It's right up there with borders being measured and attached correctly. Thanks for listening.

caspharm

Pressing the seam to the side in a top is good, especially for stitch in the ditch, but definitely press the seams open for a backing is better.

penski

i was taught to iron to one side and have never tried to press the seams open so i m thinking mine will always be to one side unless pattern says to open them

littlesurfer

I always press to the side.

frugalfabrics

I think it's a cleaner look...I always do it. My mom is old school and sees no need to do it.