Pressing Matters

by Steffani McChesney

One of the most important techniques used in quilting, and one of the most overlooked, is pressing. Yes, pressing. Not ironing. You know, pressing, where you pick up the iron and p-r-e-s-s it down on the object to be flattened.

We all have heard the standard rap about pressing to the dark, setting seams, etc. Well, there is a reason for that. These are very important to achieve a fabulous end result. Your blocks will be square, bias edges will be under control, and, ultimately, the quilt will lie straight and flat when it is finished. Pretty good payout for a little care along the way I’d say, so listen up. I’ll go through this point by point.

Should you use steam when you press? I always do. I think it sets the seam and makes a better crease to use steam.

Oh yeah, what is the difference between pressing and ironing for you newbies out there? Pressing is lifting the iron up and down on the work and ironing is moving the iron around like when you iron clothes. You do still iron clothes, don’t you?

Should you press each seam? Absolutely. No exceptions on this one. I press every seam no matter how small, even when I make miniatures.

What if I can’t press a seam towards the dark? Sometimes, pressing towards the dark is not possible and still have the block go together properly. Okay. Press to the light so that you can match the seams to have them interlock or to reduce bulk where several seams come together such as at the center of a six pointed star.

On occasion you may even have to press a seam open. To do so will not ruin your entire quilt but it is to be avoided as much as possible for several reasons. Pressing a seam open weakens the seam in a quilt. Also the thread used to sew the seam together becomes more visible, especially when the quilt is being quilted. And the batt will have a place to migrate to the surface of the quilt more easily. It would be a good idea to never quilt in the ditch along a pressed open seam.

Press appliqué blocks on a soft terrycloth towel to avoid flattening them out or causing shiny spots.

When sewing rows of blocks together press them in opposite directions so that they will interlock with the next row. Example: press even numbered rows to the left and odd numbered rows to the right.
Press sashing and borders towards themselves. They will naturally want to go that way anyway.

Be sure to press the quilt top and the backing before quilting. Press marks and wrinkles are not guaranteed to quilt out, especially the press line down the middle of the fabric used for the backing.

Last, but not least, there is a little trick I use called a twisted seam allowance. (I know, I know, the quilt police will be on my doorstep twenty minutes after this goes to press.) Pictures are much better to show this technique but I will try to explain it so you can try it. If one end of the seam is sewn to a seam going one direction and the other side is going to be sewn to a seam going the same way, to make the new seam nestle together just flip the seam on one of the two pieces over so that it will join up in the standard way. There will be a little twist in the seam. Just press it flat. It will not show when the top is quilted. Honest.

I hope this has inspired you to be diligent and press your blocks as you go. Pressing as you go will help you line up your seams and points so that they don’t get lost. Next to good cutting techniques pressing is the single most important thing you can to go insure a perfect quilt that hang straight and flat. Have I ever lied to you?