To press or not to press.....that is the question!

Pressing the seams in your quilt is one of the most important tasks for the completed

work. A good press will mean that the quilt is assured a smooth flow from piece to
piece both visually and to the touch. Most quilters will find that they have a style of
pressing that suits them best, but before you find that style it is important to realize

What Pressing is Not

Pressing the seams in your quilt is not the same as ironing. Although you will be

using an iron and an ironing board, it is absolutely critical to remember that you are
not ironing (that is, running the appliance over the seam with gentle pressure) but
just coaxing the seam down in order to seal it and make it less visible.

.What Pressing Is

Pressing uses the weight of the iron itself to create seam allowances that might

otherwise result in lost fabric. In a work such as a quilt, which requires many pieces
put together, lost millimeters on each piece can mean a big difference in the end
product. Pressing quilt blocks as they are made eliminates this problem.  Finally,
pressing will help give the quilt a uniform appearance and feel. The fabric should
never cover the seam on a properly pressed quilt.

Types of Pressing

There are two types of pressing; side pressing and open pressing. Side pressing is

simply pressing the seams to one side, and is generally advocated by most quilting
instructors.
Open pressing involves application of the iron both to the back and the front of the
blocks. This can take twice as long as side pressing, but those who use it say that it
greatly helps in the appearance of the quilt. This style is most appropriate when
using machine stitched pieces, which are stronger than those done by hand; the
stitch is less likely to come undone, and therefore hiding a hole will not be
necessary.

Pressing Technique.

Pressing seams is probably one of the dullest aspects of quilting, but it is important

to make sure that you do it accurately. It will help to maintain the integrity of the
quilt and can also make piecing that much easier.
One last hint, don't use steam! The heat from the iron will be sufficient for pressing.
Moisture may cause colors to run, and will make the blocks more susceptible to
distortion.  I press with steam when the block is completed.  I don't use any special iron
just my normal one.

Hope this helps with your questions Anysley.  Good luck!