maddy13

I was wondering how I should press my seams. Should I press them open or to the side?
I'm planning on stitching in the ditch around all of my blocks.

Thanks

gale

If you're planning to stitch in the ditch, I would press to one side. Otherwise you're stitching over just threads and air.

eparys

I never press open unless there are multiple layers of fabric all meeting at the same spot. And, it varies whether I press to the light or dark. That choice is made such that when I butt the seams - the bulk of the seam allowances go in opposite directions.

toverly

To the side, my open seams never want to play nice and lay on top of each other. I depend on them "locking" in.

mighty

To stitch in the ditch I would press to the side.

NJ Quilter

I'll be odd man out here. I almost always press open. And versus SID, I usually quilt 1/4" from the seam. I hand quilt and, regardless of how good/horrible it may be, want my quilting to show.

I find that it's easier for me to match seams/points when pressing open. Your mileage may vary. Do a couple of test samples and see which works best for you.

cookie5

I use both methods and have good results.
I am new to QB . I enjoy reading all the posts. I have already learned a lot of all of you.

Dolphyngyrl

I would do whatever the pattern says some patterns have you press a certain way so seams can lock. It is ultimately your choice.I might only press open if there was a lot of bulk in a seam

Peckish

How funny! I'm exactly the opposite!

Jeanne S

In my quilting class they taught us to press to the side, and stitch in the "ditch" side--the one side of the seam that is slightly lower because it doesn't have the seam allowances under it. Or in other words, stitch on the side of the seam that is opposite the pressed seam allowances.