nanna-up-north

HSTs are probably my most challenging quilting feature. So, of course, I'm working on a quilt with a bunch of HSTs. I've made the HSTs but now I have to sew 8 of them together to make my 4" x 4" blocks. That's a lot of seams coming together and I'm concerned about the bulk.

The pattern says to press the seams to the dark side. All the HSTs are a dark and a light. I'm thinking I would reduce a lot of bulk if I press the seams open.

What do you think I should do? Or, what do you do in this case? I really want these center points to come together nicely.

NJ Quilter

I press my seams open all the time. The only exception is, usually, if I'm paper piecing. I have no issues with seam separation and my blocks are nice and flat. I also find it far easier to accurately match points when pressing seams open.

Tartan

Can you still press to the dark but spin the seam allowances in a circle in the centre? If not then pressing the seams open on a 4 inch block should work.

WMUTeach

Ditto! I use these two techniques as needed. I don't like pressing seams open but it certainly reduces the bulk and makes it easier to match the seams/points because you can see them. Try them both on your blocks and see what works best for you and the block you are making.

Three Dog Night

I press my seams open alot of the time, I just make sure to backstitch to keep the seam from popping open.

quiltedsunshine

I press toward the dark. Then I can "nest" the seam allowances and get my points to match almost perfectly. Then I spin the seam allowance at the center.

Onebyone

I tried using a hair flat iron when pressing hst open. It worked great and much faster then using my fingers and an iron. If you have one give it a try. I kept in in a mug by my machine.

tallchick

I press my seams open 99.99% of the time, be sure to shorten your stitch length and starch is your friend.

cashs_mom

I'm going to try this. I often press seams open to reduce bulk and make seam matching easier, this would be awesome. Do you press the seams flat first with the flat iron?

Onebyone

I'm going to try this. I often press seams open to reduce bulk and make seam matching easier, this would be awesome. Do you press the seams flat first with the flat iron?

I use to but not anymore..I couldn't tell any difference.