How quilts are made


Proper Seam Pressing in Quilts

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



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