Press seams
. When piecing blocks together, e.g. a four patch, should I press the seams open or to one side?
07-24-2014, 05:44 AM
#2
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
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Either way is considered "proper".
To a certain extent, how you press each unit will depend on what the units will be set with/in.
I prefer to press most of the seams to one side because it is easier for me to get the intersections "right" that way.
Other people press all of their seams open.
These blocks were finger(nail) pressed. I've found that many times that is adequate pressing while a block is being constructed.
The bottom line for me is - it depends. I have no problem with using "mixed methods" when assembling a block. A few years ago it had to be "all one way" - but now - whatever works!
When chain piecing, I now "sew" about 1/2 inch between each unit - because I feel that leaving about 1/4 inch of thread extending beyond the fabric helps minimize pulling apart of the pieces.
To a certain extent, how you press each unit will depend on what the units will be set with/in.
I prefer to press most of the seams to one side because it is easier for me to get the intersections "right" that way.
Other people press all of their seams open.
These blocks were finger(nail) pressed. I've found that many times that is adequate pressing while a block is being constructed.
The bottom line for me is - it depends. I have no problem with using "mixed methods" when assembling a block. A few years ago it had to be "all one way" - but now - whatever works!
When chain piecing, I now "sew" about 1/2 inch between each unit - because I feel that leaving about 1/4 inch of thread extending beyond the fabric helps minimize pulling apart of the pieces.
Last edited by bearisgray; 07-24-2014 at 05:50 AM.
07-24-2014, 05:49 AM
#4
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: North Texas formerly The Burgh
Posts: 3,392
On a 4 patch like this, i like to press to the dark side as you can "nest" the seams which helps in matching them. I press open whenever i have a patch that has multiple seams converging (like a star block) because it makes less bulk. But - there are no quilt police - and you do whatever works best for you.
07-24-2014, 06:31 AM
#5
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Location: Southern California
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On this four patch, I like to have the seams going in one direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) so you can make that tiny pinwheel in the center so you avoid the bulk in the center. I agree with Tartan. I ONLY open my seams when there are so many points intersecting in the center.
07-24-2014, 06:56 AM
#8
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: The Colony, TX
Posts: 3,364
I too only press my seams open when the block calls for it (lots of seams coming together in 1 point) or on a One Block Wonder.
NOTE: When pressing seams open you really need to shorten your stitch length, on my Bernina I always use a 2 which I believe is 12 stitches to the inch. Most machines (new) default to about 10. Also think about how you are going to quilt it - I haven't tried it but a lot of people say to NOT stitch in the ditch on seams pressed open. When you think about it that makes sense - you are going to be stitching into stitches and have the chance that you could be breaking those that are holding your pieceing together. Of course that is if unlike me you actually hit a ditch.
NOTE: When pressing seams open you really need to shorten your stitch length, on my Bernina I always use a 2 which I believe is 12 stitches to the inch. Most machines (new) default to about 10. Also think about how you are going to quilt it - I haven't tried it but a lot of people say to NOT stitch in the ditch on seams pressed open. When you think about it that makes sense - you are going to be stitching into stitches and have the chance that you could be breaking those that are holding your pieceing together. Of course that is if unlike me you actually hit a ditch.
07-24-2014, 07:09 AM
#10
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 936
I too only press my seams open when the block calls for it (lots of seams coming together in 1 point) or on a One Block Wonder.
NOTE: When pressing seams open you really need to shorten your stitch length, on my Bernina I always use a 2 which I believe is 12 stitches to the inch. Most machines (new) default to about 10. Also think about how you are going to quilt it - I haven't tried it but a lot of people say to NOT stitch in the ditch on seams pressed open. When you think about it that makes sense - you are going to be stitching into stitches and have the chance that you could be breaking those that are holding your pieceing together. Of course that is if unlike me you actually hit a ditch.
NOTE: When pressing seams open you really need to shorten your stitch length, on my Bernina I always use a 2 which I believe is 12 stitches to the inch. Most machines (new) default to about 10. Also think about how you are going to quilt it - I haven't tried it but a lot of people say to NOT stitch in the ditch on seams pressed open. When you think about it that makes sense - you are going to be stitching into stitches and have the chance that you could be breaking those that are holding your pieceing together. Of course that is if unlike me you actually hit a ditch.
Yes, it does make sense to me that for quilting in the ditch the seams should probably be pressed to the side.
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