| Pressing the seams in your quilt is one of the most | | | | There are two types of pressing; side pressing and |
| important tasks for the completed work. A good press | | | | open pressing. Side pressing is simply pressing the |
| will mean that the quilt is assured a smooth flow from | | | | seams to one side, and is generally advocated by |
| piece to piece both visually and to the touch. Most | | | | most quilting instructors. |
| quilters will find that they have a style of pressing that | | | | Open pressing involves application of the iron both to |
| suits them best, but before you find that style it is | | | | the back and the front of the blocks. This can take |
| important to realize what pressing is not. | | | | twice as long as side pressing, but those who use it |
| What Pressing is Not | | | | say that it greatly helps in the appearance of the quilt. |
| Pressing the seams in your quilt is not the same as | | | | This style is most appropriate when using machine |
| ironing. Although you will be using an iron and an ironing | | | | stitched pieces, which are stronger than those done by |
| board, it is absolutely critical to remember that you are | | | | hand; the stitch is less likely to come undone, and |
| not ironing (that is, running the appliance over the seam | | | | therefore hiding a hole will not be necessary. |
| with gentle pressure) but just coaxing the seam down | | | | Pressing Technique |
| in order to seal it and make it less visible. | | | | When you are pressing blocks in the full quilt, the |
| Pressing the seam is often thought of as a way of | | | | seams should be pressed towards the dark patches. If |
| strengthening the seam, but this is not really the case. | | | | your quilt involves a more intricate pattern, with spirals |
| No strength is added to the seam itself by having it | | | | and compass shapes, then try pressing in a clockwise |
| seam pressed down; instead, pressing the seam will | | | | pattern; at the very least, make sure that your presses |
| mean that should any stitch come undone, the cotton | | | | are all uniform in direction. This will lessen the bulk in the |
| batting in the quilt will not push up through the seam. | | | | middle of the pattern when all the seams are pressed. |
| This can be said to strengthen the integrity of the quilt | | | | Pressing seams is probably one of the dullest aspects |
| somewhat, but it does not make the seam itself any | | | | of quilting, but it is important to make sure that you do it |
| stronger. | | | | accurately. It will help to maintain the integrity of the quilt |
| What Pressing Is | | | | and can also make piecing that much easier. |
| Pressing uses the weight of the iron itself to create | | | | One last hint, don't use steam! The heat from the iron |
| seam allowances that might otherwise result in lost | | | | will be sufficient for pressing. Moisture may cause |
| fabric. In a work such as a quilt, which requires many | | | | colors to run, and will make the blocks more |
| pieces put together, lost millimeters on each piece can | | | | susceptible to distortion. |
| mean a big difference in the end product. Pressing quilt | | | | Jan Myers is the author of numerous articles and |
| blocks as they are made eliminates this problem. | | | | books on topics from organizational development and |
| Pressing will also create a good loft which will come in | | | | leadership to quilting. It was her avocation, the love of |
| handy when it comes time to attach the pieces. Finally, | | | | quilting, that inspired the popular online membership site |
| pressing will help give the quilt a uniform appearance | | | | for quilters known as the "world's largest quilting bee" |
| and feel. The fabric should never cover the seam on a | | | | at Jan currently authors several blogs, one of which is |
| properly pressed quilt. | | | | Quilters' Broadcasting. |
| Types of Pressing | | | | |