quiltlady1941

I'm making a baby quilt with a large pieced tractor...[36x 42]..on the front of the quilt. It calls to press open the seams, I have always pressed to the dark side in all my other quilts..

I'm having a problem with pressing the seams open and I keep burning my finger, is there some secret to pressing seams open? It is taking me so long to run my finger into the seam while I press it, sometimes it does not press it flat and have to go back and press some more and then I sometimes burn my finger..GRRRRR

anybody know of a faster way to press these seams open without burning your finger and going a little faster, it is driving me crazy.. Maybe someone has a easier way to do this.. Thanks

Jackie Spencer

I have a little wooden thing I got from Eleanore Burns web site. I use it first then press the seams with my iron. Its called a wooden iron, but does not look like an iron. It really works!!

woody

I have seen this http://www.thestripstick.com/ and am going to make one for the next time I make a OBW which needs all the seams pressed open.
I also have one of these which you can run over the seam first. http://www.punchwithjudy.com.au/shop/seam-roller.html It does do a pretty good job at pressing the seam even though it is just a wooden roller.
Good luck

HouseDragon

Here's how do it:

First I press to relax the seam.
Then I use my fingertips to open the seam "walking" them along the seam.
Then I use my fingernails to "press" the seam open from end to end and back.
Last I press right to left using my left index finger to keep the seam open as I carefully left the iron up and over only an inch or so: keep your left index finger at least half an inch away from the tip of the iron. Press slowly!

Sounds like it takes a lot of time but once you get in the groove of pressing seams open, it doesn't take any more time than pressing them to the side.

KalamaQuilts

are you using steam, is that why your fingers are getting burned?
I never use steam until I have the whole top assembled.
Or is it just the fabric gets hot while you press and manipulate? Been there done that

maminstl

another tip - press seam flat, then open up and press to one side as you usually do, then press open. I know it's three steps, but in the end it is a lot less hassle than fighting that seam open.

patricej

i'd check a hardware store first to see if you could get a roller like that for less.
many "quilting tools" are really just cleverly marketed items found in hardware stores for much lower prices.

QuiltnNan

as PatriceJ said, you can get it cheaper... i got a similar roller in the wallpaper section at Home Depot

Tartan

There is a little metal thing/ring that fits on your index finger tip with a long point for pressing. You could probably do the same thing with a wooden Popsicle stick to hold the seam allowance open while you press.

Krisb

I press to set the seam, then open up and open the seam up with my finger for about five inches and press that portion open. After that I use the tip of the iron to open the seam, sliding along slowly and lowering the iron periodically. Had lots of practice from clothing construction, so it goes pretty fast.