There's no drama in a well pressed seam!

Let's talk about pressing and the two different views........ press seams open or press seams to the dark side............

Now I am a Star Wars fan and the first time I heard someone say "Press to the dark side" I laughed and immediately thought of Star Wars...... but in all seriousness, pressing to the dark side is a good technique, but so is pressing the seams open.

I do both and it depends on what I have sewn and how I think a seam or series of seams coming together in one place may affect the quilting.

So my general rule of thumb with pressing is this:

Making Half Square Triangles - definitely press the seams open

Borders - press to the dark side

Sashing - same - press to the dark side

Intricate seams and blocks that have a lot of joins - press seams open

*Easy straight seams with no nesting - press to the dark side

*Intricate piecing or nesting - press seams open

For me it is always, how is this going to play out when I get to the quilting stage. Am I going to have little mountains popping up in my quilt especially if the quilting design does not go over that area - and even if it does - is it going to be too bulky. I let this guide my decision when I start a quilt and decide on my methods.

Some patterns like log cabin and rail fence are straight seams, but they are short and need nesting - I have moved to pressing these open.

I also vary between pressing with steam and pressing dry iron. Again it depends on the item I am pressing, how the fabric is handling - if there is a lot of give in the fabric - dry iron is essential to avoid stretch. If I am trying to flatten a bulge - instead of hitting it with a hammer - I do apply steam, but do not move my iron.

If you are an experienced quilter, I imagine you already have your favourite method, but don't get stuck there if the other alternative gives you a better result. If you are new to quilting try both methods, develop your own style.

One point with pressing seams open. Some people have said it is difficult to do with arthritic fingers - I understand totally - I have them too. There are two things I do if I am having that problem. (1) I preopen and lightly finger press my seams before I go to the iron (2) I have a "pink thing" (they come in many colours) it is a long stick - one end is kind of pointy and the other has a hammer headish end...... (weird description I know) but here in Australia "That pink thing" in quilting is quite well known.... The slightly pointed end will open the seams for you and keep your fingers away from the iron. The hammer head end is the equivalent of finger pressing the seam - run it down the seam.

I had a project recently that had 400 Half Square Triangles - I was watching a movie, so I just sat there for a few minutes - finger pressed all the seams, then got up and pressed them flat, with no iron burns or issues at all.

Think through alternatives that might suit you. There is no hard and fast rules, regardless of what people might say - modify techniques to suit your needs.

Enjoy your quilting journey

with a smile

Brenda Marie🪡