ScubaK

I was working on a quilting project tonight and was wondering???
When you press the seam on blocks or piecing...which way do you press and do you use steam?
Another thought I had is do you press the seams while making a block or after the block is finished and the joining to other blocks.
Thanks,
Kirsten

Rose Marie

Pressing seams is a problem for me too. Rule of thumb, press toward the darker fabric but not always. Flying geese it is best to press away from the point but not always. I press my seams if my next piece crosses that seam. I use steam but lots of people dont. Always press down not like ironing a piece of clothing. You dont want to streach your pieces.
I like Eleanor Burns patterns cause she tells you which way to press your seams.
You can also press seams open if you have doubts about which way to go.

ScubaK

Thanks for the tips...
I have never taken a class or anything...but I do watch PBS with their quilting shows and then I also read the boards and stuff...and most of my sewing is trial and error.............hehe...
So I just sew and sew and do what ever works best for the project...
Thanks...hope to get more tips.
Kirsten

mimisharon

KO24, if you use steam and your blocks are on the bias.......they will stretch. Try to use a dry iron and don't move the iron around, just set it over the seam.

If you are a "steamer" then use the steam, but again, DON'T move the iron around. Just set it down, hold it a few seconds, then let the block completely cool to the touch before you try to move it or pick it up.

I've skewed more blocks in using steam than I care to admit. Now I'm a true dry iron hound. I still let the blocks cool before I move them, but I don't get those funny little waves quite as much as I used to.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Up North

After ruining blocks with steam I find a quick spray with a light spray starch to work great. Hope this helps.

ScubaK

OK, no steam, I get that where the blocks get all squewy...
But now I am lost with starch and sizing...???
What & when...what is it????
Thanks,
K

DebJ

KO24 It will say on the can spray starch or sizing, which ever it is.

Shadow Dancer

I press every step of the way, I press my pieces together before sewing the seam...i press the sewn seam to set the stitches before opening the piece up.

I always use steam when I press, but I just bring the iron down and lift it up, I don't slide the iron over the pieces/block. Seams go towards the dark, but there are some situations where it is has to go towards the light. :)

Aully

Does steam not shrink the blocks? I have noticed while using the steam setting that my blocks change size and shape.

bearisgray

In my experience, if I wash the fabrics BEFORE cutting, a lot of these things (such as shrinkage) do not happen.

I did find that when I soaked the blocks with starch or sizing, and ironed/pressed them while sopping wet, they did stretch - quite a bit.