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