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