half square triangles
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,183
I press open for a variety of reasons, for me it is more accurate and less lumpy. Keep your stitch length short if you are pressing open. Pressing open also means I typically pin a lot more than other people, about every 2" all the time.
Sometimes pressed open or not, when you have a bunch of points going around in a circle (like in the middle of a star) the proper tool for the job is a hammer to squish that seam down!
Sometimes pressed open or not, when you have a bunch of points going around in a circle (like in the middle of a star) the proper tool for the job is a hammer to squish that seam down!
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 205
It’s a constant battle for me which to do. I started with side only but they got so bulky that I switched to open. In the end I found those are just as bulky. I do feel that pressing them open might give a little bit of a neater look. I tend to stitch in the ditch when quilting, or at least try to, so for that reason I’m more likely to press to the side.
#10
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 15
Just keep in mind how you are going to finish your quilt or if you send it to a longarmmer. If you do an overall design then it doesn't matter if your seams are open or pressed to the dark side but, if the quilt calls for custom work then the quilter needs the ditch to keep your quilt as square as possible and to be able to go from one element to the next. I personally prefer pressing to the dark when possible so I cover my bases when I quilt my top.