Quilt Block Pressing Tips

One of the most important aspects of getting your quilt blocks, or any sewing really, is to press your work appropriately. I've even heard it said that approximately 1/3 of your sewing or quilt piecing time is actually spent at your ironing board, not your sewing machine. From my own experience this accurate. As some one who is primarily self-taught I can attest to its importance. Don't underestimate this. Don't skip this step. Quilting projects where we leave out steps are quilting projects we end up not liking when you finish.

You will want to take the time to press your blocks and quilt top at each appropriate stage. Skipping the pressing can result in quilt blocks where your seas and points don't line up properly and your block might even end up the wrong size.

Here is a picture of a block where the pressing steps were skipped. Even though it was pieced with 1/4" seams, and the seam carefully aligned when sewing, it still resulted in a very unfortunate looking block.

In both quilting and garment sewing, every seam should be pressed before any other unit or piece is added, meaning before any new seam crosses that one. Sometimes in quilting we press the seam allowances to one side, but there can be times when you will choose to press them open. Let's dig into the proper way to press your seams.

Pressing vs. Ironing

Pressing and ironing are not the same thing, there is a difference. Ironing is when you move the iron across the fabric while it is in contact with the fabric. Pressing means that you pick up the iron off the surface and place it back down in the next spot when you need to move the iron. Ironing can result in your fabric stretching and distorting. Both ironing and pressing can be done with our without steam. You'll want to use the right heat and moisture settings for your fabric. Quilting is most often done with 100% cotton fabric.

Pressing Straight Quilting Seams

Quilting, especially when you are first starting out, involves mostly straight seams. As your skills improve you may end up moving on the designs that involve curved seams. We are only going to focus on straight seams here.

Step one

The first step is to always press the stitching flat, with right sides together. This is called "setting in the seam." You will want to always try to press with your iron parallel to the straight grain of the fabric. You will want to let the fabric cool before moving on to make sure you do not distort your work.

setting in the seam

Step Two

Now, beginning at one end of the seam, gently lift up the top piece and positio the iron on the bottom fabric. Using the tip of the iron to move across the seam, press it open. This method willl allow you to press the seam to one sideand open at the same time. If you want to press your seams to the darker side (preferred most often) make sure your darker color is on top when you first set in the seam.

Some quilt patterns will specifiy which way to press your seams. When in doubt press to the darker side. If you find your might need to press toward the lighter side you can trim off some of that seam allowance to minimize shadowing. Always test with some scrap fabric.

Pressing Bias Seams

A bias seam should be handled with care, as the bias grain of a woven fabric is where it will have some stretch. Care needs to be used when piecing and pressing these parts of your quilt.

You will want to press a bias seam with your iron at a 45 degree angle to the seam, with the iron paralellel to the straight grain of your fabric. This will help minimize any distortion.

With bias edges it is more important to let the fabric cool before moving it so that the seam can set.

When Would You Finger-Press?

There are time when piecing a block that you might not know which way your seams will be pressed eventually. It only work on very short seams.

Place your pieced unit on a hard surface. From the wrong side you will spread the unit apart, with the seam allowance toward the darker fabric. Firmly press all along the seam with your fingers, taking care not to stretch your fabric.

Now turn it over so that the right sides of the fabric are facing you. Make sure that you that the seam allowance is still going toward the darker fabric. Repeat the firm finger pressing.

When You Might Want to Press Your Seams Open

Seam allowances are pressed open when multiple seams will be joined in one spot. This helps reduce the bulk that coule happen when seams stack on one another. I find that it is easier for me to quilt both by machine and by hand when I press most of my seams open. I confess I do not worry about it as much if I am taking the quilt to the local shop for long arm machine quilting.

When pressing your seams open you will take the following steps.

• Follow step one from above and still press the straght seam together to set in your seam.

• Next, press from the wrong side, carefully opening the seam with either your fingernail or a hardwood pressing tool.

• Finally, flip it over and make sure the seam is completely open and straight.

  
  

Planning Yoour Seam Pressing

When two seams that have been pressed to the side are joined together you will want to try and seat them opposite one another. You will want to create opposing seams to minimize bulk.

The biggest takeaway that I, personally, have from this is that I REALLY need a manicure.

You can eliminate a lot of guess work at the ironing board if you develop a plan for your pressing before piecing your blocks and quilt.

Make one practice block. You will want to do this anyway with any block design that is new to you so you are comfortable with how it comes together. Look at all the units and rows as you pice. Where do they cross? Are there sections with more bulk than others. Observe how the seam allowances interact with one another. Try to plan for as many opposing seams as possible and make a quick note of how you want to press each seam and unit. The whole process will be smoother after that.

Happy quilting!