joyce888

I like pressing the seams open. I get pleats when pressing to one side and my machine may hang-up when sewing over the seam.

cyniree

I do both, depending on the quilt block itself.

quiltingeileen

I press to one side. I was taught that way and never really thought about it.

Tfch8184

To one side.

I have a devil of a time pressing open. I don't know if it's me or my iron but I've always just pressed to the side. When doing my rows I wait till the rows are done lay them out and then figure out which row gets pressed to which way.

citruscountyquilter

As I understand it originally quilters pressed to one side because the batting they were using tended to leak out between the stitching if the seams were pressed open. By pressing to one side there are no holes for the batting to leak (beard) out. The batting that is used by today's quilters does not beard as much so it is not as important to close up the holes by pressing to one side. I do feel however you get stronger seams by pressing to one side because ther is no pull against the seam like there is by pressing open so that is how I press. Different techniques are used in quilting than are in garment sewing or tailoring.

BettyGee

I generally press the seams to one side as advised in the pattern of the current project. If pressing the seams open will allow the pieces to nest more easily then that is what I do. I find that in more intricate patterns it is always easier to press the seams to one side so you don't have a giant bump when you join the pieces.

Rubesgirl

I usually press to the side so that the next row will "nest" in the seams. I just made one that had instructions to press open, so I did. Most of the seams did not match up properly having been pressed open, so will go back to the way I was doing it. What works for some doesn't necessarily work for all. :-)

caspharm

I also do both depending on the pattern. Pressing to one side is the most common, but open seams works if there may be a lot of bulk in an area.

feffertim

I like to press open. I usually don't know where I am going to place my blocks until they are all finished, then I move them around. If I pressed to the side it would mean I would have to go back and repress them so avoid bumps in my seams. I often don't use patterns, but if I do, then I follow the instructions .

gale

This. It definitely takes me a lot more time to press open. Probably because I'm not used to it.