Line up the seams and then pin directly through the seams or as closely as possible to them. Nancy ziemans absolute easiest way to press seams nancy. The iron is hot, and you have lots of pieces to flatten before stitching the units together to make your block. If you cut and sew accurately but dont take time to press correctly, your patchwork can end up just as offkilter as it would if you had gone awry in the cutting or stitching.
This will ensure it lies nice and flat and it will help with getting accurate joins. Finger pressing works great for short seams on the straight of grain or cross grain. Press to the dark is just the first rule most people learn in patchwork pressing. I needed the texture of the seams pressed to the side.
Free motion quilting allows you the freedom to quilt various shapes and designs on your projects by stitching in all directions. Learn how to ensure the blocks in your quilts are the same size and your quilts finish strong and flat. Learn how important it is to press as you sew and how to press seams. I keep coming back to pressing all my seams open so i can actually see the seams. How to press quilt blocks and quilts for best accuracy. Youre finish ironing, and as you start to stitch the units together, you notice some of the pieces are now longer than other identical ones. Im so excited to start my first lets talk series with a discussion about pressing seams. I also agree, that if youre planning on stitching in the ditch, it. Pressing seams to one side is a residue of hand piecing.
Piece your rows together, pressing seams in alternating directions. Pressing seams to the side establishes a stronger quilt because its both the fabric and thread that are holding those seams together rather than just the thread. Jan 29, 2019 pressing the seams away from each other at the intersections will help you get a flatter piece of patchwork. Fat quarter shop features the latest quilting notions including many iron and pressing aides. Nesting seams means pressing the seam allowances in opposite directions. Speedy patchwork tote bags easy sewing tutorial sewcanshe.
This video describes a split seam or twisted seam concept to obtain flatter quilt blocks and will allow your blocks to better nest together. I so want this method to work, and everyone who tries it. If you cut and sew accurately but dont take time to press correctly, your patchwork can end up just as offkilter as it would if you had gone awry in the cutting or stitchin. But for the easiest and quickest patchwork quilt a beginner quilter could sew click here to see the quilt, nesting the seams is the best pressing option. Nov 07, 2018 even if you dont quilt but do love patchwork, you might have been using the fourpatch block all the time anyway. The company was founded in 1994 by marion frost with the aim to help cake decorators at both beginner and advanced levels to create quick, clean designs. Never underestimate the value of good pressing in your quiltmaking. I always feel like i need to pause after saying this in a deep, firm voice and wait for the star wars movie theme song to back me up. Repeat these steps with your other patchwork pieces.
So simple yet so handy for pressing seams on patchwork projects quickly, instead of finger pressing or burning my fingers on my iron. Today im sharing my fabric pressing tips and techniques, how to reading pressing directions on most patterns, and how to fix seam issues. For remaining steps, press all seams toward borders. When you think about it, if your seam has been pressed open and you look at the seam from the right side, you can actually see the stitches of thread that are holding your seams. Here is a brief tutorial on nesting seams from liz and elizabeth evanss quilting book, the simple simon guide to patchwork. Nesting seams flat quilt tops and accurate piecing getas. Press, dont iron pressing is the motion of lowering and lifting the iron from the fabric surface. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. I will show you how to chain piece and nest your seams together for perfect corners. The patchwork from the charm packs did not line up and every 45 squares were off. Ironing is the backandforth motion of the iron on the fabric.
Patchwork is a sewing technique that you can use to make a quilt, a patchwork apron, or any other type of sewing project that you would like to have a multicolor, patchwork look. Lay the two strip sets with right sides together so the seams nest. Set a square in the top left corner of your star so you understand where it goes. Next, you will cut the strip sets into smaller units. Here is another tutorial if youd like to read one, or you can also watch tutorials on youtube. Sew the second set of strips together, pressing the seams toward the darker fabric. Nesting seams flat quilt tops and accurate piecing. I also recommend you use it at each step throughout your blocks construction. This sentence is kind of a joke among many of us in our quilting group. I so want this method to work, and everyone who tries it swears by it. This consistency helps us to snuggle our seams when we sew pieces together while making individual blocks, sewing one block to another, and even sewing long. Pressing quilt seams is a crucial step of any quiltmaking process not only will it make it easier to join blocks, it will also make a quilt lie flatter. Mar 20, 2015 its always the basics that get us in trouble.
Apr, 2017 julie gives you tips on pressing your seams. I really stink at getting the seams to lie open when im pressing, though, and it takes me forever compared to pressing to the side. Pin your rows together, matching up the block seams. The term nesting seams simply means aligning the seams of each row so that they not only line up nicely but seem to almost fit together perfectly like a puzzle piece. How to make a four patch quilt block two at a time. I use any handy fat quarter of fabric for a pressing cloth. I find i can match up my seams better when the seams are pressed to one side, going in opposite directions. I dont like doing this because 1 its timeconsuming, and 2 it weakens the quilt top at all the seams. The reason we are showing both the front and backs of the blocks is so you can see the pressing. In my searching, i found an interesting article on the merits of pressing seams open here. Jo shows how to align your fabric for perfect 14 seaming. But pressing your seams toward the darker fabric is important for another reason too. Jan 06, 2017 but for the easiest and quickest patchwork quilt a beginner quilter could sew click here to see the quilt, nesting the seams is the best pressing option.
Leah weighs in on the great quilting debate in this hello my quilting friends podcast. If you pressed all the seam allowances toward the darker fabric, the strips should fit together neatly. Your quiltmaking skills will improve immediately when you learn how to press quilt blocks. Also a little disconcerting that it took me so long see, i had learned about nesting the seams and pinning and such before, but the day before yesterday the stars aligned, the heavens opened up and, i. Sew an inner border strip to the left and right sides of the quilt, and trim to be even with the quilt. Mar 28, 20 how to press quilt seams excerpted from the quilters quick reference guide by candace eisner strick. If your previously straight seams are now curved, then youre applying too much pressure as you push the iron across the fabric. Also, pressing the seam allowances in opposite directions means that when you sew the rowscolumns together, the seams will nest together nicely and makes for nice intersections that lay flat. To piece your backing, first cut your backing yardage in half. Some quilters prefer to press their seams open to make the quilt top lay flatter, but i usually prefer to press my seams to one side, which allows me to nest my seams and have nice intersections without using pins.
This little tip works well whether you plan on stitching in the ditch or even for free motion quilting. How to sew a basic ninepatch quilt block fabric406. How to press seams open in quilting fat quarter shop youtube. I like to press my seams open because it reduces seam bulk, but you can also press to the side if.
Pressing quilt seams quilts, quilting tutorials, sewing. Nesting seams and other tricks to avoid speed bumps in your quilt. The reason is it makes it easier to quilt, whether i am doing the quilting or sending it to my favorite long arm quilter. Whatever your preference, below are some tips to assure the bestpressed seams. I have been trying out pressing seams open and am finding that it is useful to me in some situations. Press seam allowances toward the inside of the block. You just spent time measuring, cutting, sorting, arranging, stitching and now you need to set, and flatten the seams, and take out any unwanted creases. See more ideas about quilting tips, quilting techniques, quilting tutorials. In my search of a tool that will make pressing seams in cotton easier, i thought i would have found a winner, alas, not yet. Patchwork cutters have been inspiring cake decorators for over 20 years. Sew an inner border strip to the top and bottom of the quilt, and trim. Pressing seam allowances as you work helps eliminate little bits of fabric that become lost within seam allowances, creating distortions and making your finished quilt blocks smaller than they should be.
Dana jones demonstrates stepbystep instructions on how to set your seams by pressing with a hot iron. Pressing quilt seams national quilters circle youtube. Bestselling author carrie nelson reveals how to pop quiltblock seams so your blocks lay superflat and nest perfectly together with. When seams fall on the bias, extra care is important if finger pressing. Dana jones demonstrates step by step instructions on how to set your seams by pressing with a hot iron. Multiple layer seams can be finger pressed, but it is probably best to use forego the fingers and use an iron. Quick tip this months ufo quilting project is all about half square triangles hsts. Let me say first that i am talking about machine piecing. Then flip it right side down along the bottom line with the bottom edge still lined up with your star. You start pressing seams as directed by the pattern or the best way you know how. Bulky seams are no fun when it comes time to do some quilting.
When it comes to pressing seams on a quilt block those four words are a key rule. How i press open quilt block seams quick tip youtube. Okay, i wont say i will never clip a seam when quilting, maybe i just havent stitched a seam that requires this, but i know i will hesitate before doing it. When we all press our seams to one side the darker of the fabrics it also creates consistency. When sewing several hsts together there tends to be a lot. Kathy patterson of mccalls quilting shares tips for saving time by chain piecing quilt units, and pressing seam allowances to lie in opposite. Nancy zieman shares her absolute easiest way for pressing seams using an iron. I considered pressing open seams on the quilt im working on now, but its a forest design and the flat just didnt look nice. May seem a bit expensive but i think it was worth it. Nesting seams and other tricks to avoid speed bumps in. If your previously straight seams are now curved, then youre applying too much pressure as you push the iron across the. Tired of having those monster bumps in your quilt blocks or seams. Today this happy longarm quilter has a tip for all the beginners out there who struggle with too much bulk where seams meet.
And of course there are always exceptions to every rule. Pressing quilt seams quilts, quilting tutorials, sewing circles. Apr 07, 2018 i also back stitch crucial seamslike those at the edge of a block. Quilt block piecing trick for matching seams michele made me.
Pressing the seams away from each other at the intersections will help you get a flatter piece of patchwork. How to press quilt seams excerpted from the quilters quick reference guide by candace eisner strick. How to create flatter seams when pressing your quilt. Yet again i heard a quilt teacher tell others to press their seams to one side, rather than open, as the seam was stronger that way. Using quilt templates and specialty rulers to cut fabric. Patchwork drawstring bag tutorial the polka dot chair. Pressing seams open or to one side generations quilt patterns. Unfortunately, if you were to stitch in the ditch, you would not catch fabric but threads. When free motion quilting, you are in charge of moving the quilt under your presser foot, rather than allowing the machine feed dogs to move the quilt. This method of pressing quilt blocks works just as well for paper piecing as traditionally pieced units. Even if you dont quilt but do love patchwork, you might have been using the fourpatch block all the time anyway. Utilize these pressing techniques and see how beneficial pressing can be for your own quilts. I also back stitch crucial seamslike those at the edge of a block. I mostly press to the side as well, but the occasional quilt does call for open pressing, so it lays nice and flat tesselating quilts look much better pressed flat.
A seam pieced by hand with a running stitch is not strong, and so it is pressed to one side, not to strengthen the seam, but to cover the holes which would invariably open along the seam and let out the batting. May 19, 2014 ive already sewn three rows with three squares each. Perfecting quilt seam pressing with a clean iron 2. Tips for pressing seam allowances in quilt blocks youtube. My mom and sister prefer pressing seams to the side, while i like to press seams open. If you must run your iron across your patchwork, again, go with the grain.
Dec 18, 2019 i find i can match up my seams better when the seams are pressed to one side, going in opposite directions. Quilting tutorials, quilting projects, quilting designs, sewing projects, quilting tips, paper piecing, patchwork quilt patterns, quilting patterns, flying geese quilt. Kathy patterson of mccalls quilting shares tips for saving time by chain piecing quilt units, and pressing seam allowances to lie in opposite directions. Betty has wonderful swirl pressing examples in the units with. Press open or to the side, you decide, julie gives you suggestions that work best for your block or strip set. Anonymous in my limited experience with making quilt tops, i find for the small block quilt it is better to iron seams open. Ive heard this tip before, and every single time i try it, it refuses to work.
When pressing, stitch the top row seams to the right, the next row seams to the left, the next row to the right etc. In this video i share with you my tips for pressing your patchwork. Learn how to aviod speed bumps in quilts nesting seams, pins and other tricks. Place the pressing paper under the patchwork to protect your ironing board from the glue and use a pressing cloth to protect the interfacing from the hot iron. And if you havent, you will be hooked after you see how easy it is. Nesting your seams starts with the way you press them. Pressing the seam will help you sew on the next triangle more accurately, so dont skip this step. One reason many quilters like to pressing quilt seams open is that they feel the pieces lay stronger. Apr 28, 2016 here is a brief tutorial on nesting seams from liz and elizabeth evanss quilting book, the simple simon guide to patchwork. Seam pressing is a skill thats required to make perfect quilt seams. Jan 21, 2020 when pressing, stitch the top row seams to the right, the next row seams to the left, the next row to the right etc.
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