Advantages and Disadvantages of Pressing Seams Open

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02-21-2013, 08:35 AM

#21

Boston1954

Power Poster

Thread Starter

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts

Posts: 10,477

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traditional Quilter

Pressing seams to one side gives strength to the top. However, there's nothing wrong with pressing open if it eliminates bulk. Just remember you won't be able to quilt in the ditch if you press them open. I might suggest shorter stitch length in piecing and dense quilting if you press all the seams open.

I see that you say you are in Eastern Oklahoma pining for Massachusetts. I grew up in Eastern Oklahoma and spent 36 years in Western Oklahoma. Am now in Northern Virginia and miss the slower pace of Oklahoma.

Jane

Hello Jane,
I miss the ocean, The Boston Bruins, and most of my family. I am 1,600 miles from everything I love. Also there are scorpions here. Yick!!!

02-21-2013, 10:45 AM

#22

Suzette316

Junior Member

Join Date: Dec 2012

Location: Georgia

Posts: 220

You know, it's never made sense to me that seams pressed to one side makes anything (the stitching or the quilt) stronger. I'm not saying it absolutely doesn't, it just doesn't make sense to me. (And I'm talking about machine piecing, not hand piecing.) But . . . being a very obedient little quilter, I pressed to one side for years, just because that's what was always recommended. About three years ago I decided to be a rebel and press my seams open. I loved the results! Everything fit better and looked better. To be sure, there are times I press to one side, but more often than not, I press mine open. (Oh, and one of those quilts with pressed open seams was for my sister's dog. For two years now that quilt has been machine washed and dried at least once a week, sometimes two or three times and she tells me it's holding up beautifully.)