Pressing Seams in Your Quilt Blocks

Believe it or not - - - there is controversy when it comes to pressing the seams in your quilt blocks as you sew.

Possibly it's because I'm a bit lazy, but I think it is more that I like the flexibility - but I don't generally press the seams as I sew my quilt blocks together.

I have found that by leaving the seam somewhat flexible, I can match the seams better as I add patches to the block.

There are other quilters who ardently press each seam once it is sewn.

Try it both ways, and see what works best for you and the quilt you are sewing.

Even so, maybe pressing seams wouldn’t seem like such a chore to us quilters if we used the right equipment and set it up in a way that’s convenient for us. 

Sometimes it just seems like such a hassle to prewash fabric then press it or to sew then press seams. 

Here are a few ways to make the process a little more interesting and a little less time consuming.

• You know “iron” is a heavy substance, so when we select an iron to press with, why do we tend to choose a light weight one? We need to use a heavier iron. Along with the heat, the heavier iron will make pressing less work. Sure, the iron will weigh more, but you’ll be simply gliding that weight across your fabric.
• Select an iron that can hold a good amount of water for steaming.  Also, an iron that allows steam from more than just the tip area will make pressing easier. The bigger the area you can steam, the sooner the job will get done.
• You can enlist the aid of a steam generator in your ironing. The generator is great for a final overall ironing, but would be too cumbersome for just ironing seams.
• Depending on the size of your work space, you may find that a small, portable ironing board and a mini iron are all you need for seam ironing. The smaller size means you can keep them near your sewing machine.
• You will probably find that a board larger than your household ironing board is better for your quilting projects. While it’s true that not everything you iron for your quilting will be large, there is a time when you will be ironing a complete quilt or a large section of one. That’s when a large board comes in handy!
• Of course there’s the question – to starch, or not to starch? There are naturally pros and cons to both sides. Starch gives a nice, crisp finish and a nice light scent that just makes the quilt seem extra fresh. The problem is that starch is attractive to bugs. So, by using starch, you run the risk of attracting damaging insects to your quilt. If you do starch your quilts while pressing, be sure to tell the recipient (whether the quilt is given as a gift or sold to a customer) that the quilt should be washed before using or storing to remove the starch. This way, you get the satisfaction of the crisp finished product but the recipient can avoid insect damage.

With all this talk about pressing, it’s important to note that not all fabrics should be pressed. If you are quilting with fabrics consisting of high polyester content, don’t try to iron them. If using flocked fabrics or velvets of any sort, either as part of an appliqué or as an element of a crazy quilt, you won’t want to iron them. Manmade fibers melt with heat and just a little exposure to steam or dry heat is all that it takes to melt a patch or damage an entire quilt.

In some cases, you won’t have to press your seams with an iron. Finger pressing may be all that is needed. In those instances, look for an extra clothespin or a wooden craft stick. These are perfect, inexpensive tools for finger pressing. Simply press the seam using the wooden stick or clothespin, applying pressure to guide the seam in the direction you want it to go.

So, pressing can be as easy as flattening a seam with a wooden craft stick or as detailed as using a small iron to do it. When it’s time to iron the big pieces, use a big ironing board and a heavy iron for easier pressing. Having the right supplies on hand will take the chore out of pressing.

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren

www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com

©2010, Penny Halgren
Penny is a quilter of more than 28 years who seeks to interest new quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create beautiful quilts.

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