Kwiltr

So I'm making up a pattern found on the internet at http://englandstreet.blogspot.ca/p/more-quilts.html?m=1 called Summer at the Beach. I got all of blocks made pressing to the dark as instructed throughout. Only now do I realize that my seams are not going to nest and I'm trying to line up "V's". So at this point with 4 joined and 60 more to go, I'm thinking there has to be a better way. Also, the instructions say to press the seams alternating directions so when I join the rows they'll nest. Well with everything currently pressed to the dark side, that will make for an extremely thick bumpy seam all over the quilt. So I figured I'd press them open... I'm wondering if I should just repress the seams within the blocks so they'll nest when I go to join them within the rows? What do you think?

dunster

You will be lining up a "v" no matter how it's pressed. I would leave it pressed to the dark.

Kwiltr

Ya but if the seams are pressed alternately won't it be easier to do?

quiltsRfun

Try it both ways and see which works best.

DogHouseMom

I always prefer that my seams nest, and if that is not possible/feasible .... I open the seams.

PaperPrincess

I also like my seams to nest. Seems ( ) I get a better match that way, so unless my light fabric so light weight that the darker fabric will show thru, I press so the seams nest. Having said that, to repress half your blocks will take a bit of time. The only way I've found to make a seam go the other way after it's been pressed is to first press flat, like when you set the seam, then press the way I want it to go. You will have to be extra careful because all your blocks have bias edges and all the handling & ironing may distort them.
As suggested by a previous poster, try re ironing a couple blocks then decide if it's worth the effort.

Kwiltr

Looking at it again, I think I'll just do my best to match them the way they are and press my seam open as I think I will prefer the look of the darker fabrics all laying at the same level on the face of the quilt rather than some up and down. Plus it's less work at this point. Once I quilt it, the open seams will be well secured ;-). Thanks for your input.

Prism99

I would press seams open and "glue pin" the seams at the ironing board before sewing. It would give me the most accurate matching for the V's.

quiltingshorttimer

i'm with Prism99 on this--I've found with those diagonal seams all coming together I've started pressing them open o they both match and lay flat so that when I quilt them I don't get "bumps"

Kwiltr

So do you mean to press the seams open within the bloc, then join the blocks? I tried the glue basting with the way the seams are pressed now, with limited success, since they are so thick.
thanks.