QUILTsocial Issue 5 | Page 18

Pressing Tips For the purpose of demonstrating proper pressing tips I'm creating a checkerboard background. The example shows two sets of strips alternating two different fabrics. Each set will have 3 strips of one fabric and 2 of another fabric – so a total of 5 strips in each. Now that I’ve sewn the strips together I’m heading back to the cutting table to sub cut the strip sets into 5 – 3½'' x 15½'' for a total of 10 strips. One strip set completed 1. Set the seam Set the seam first by pressing the seam with the two pieces lying RS together as they came off the sewing machine – this will set the stitches and fabric allowing for a flatter seam. 2. Press to the darkest fabric Always press the seam towards the darkest fabric. By doing this it will ensure that the seam allowance does not show the dark fabric through a lighter fabric. Strip sets sub cut into strips 3. Press from the middle When pressing long strips, rows or borders start in the middle of the section and work out one way to the end of the seam then return to the middle and work out the other direction to the end of the seam. This will help to eliminate waves in the seams so that your seams are not wonky – nobody likes a wonky seam. 4. Butting seams – press in opposite directions When seams need to butt together it’s best that the seams have been pressed in opposite directions so that they’ll nest together – this helps ensure the join of the two seams on the top of the quilt will be perfect. Since I’m making a checkerboard background, the seams will be nesting together. By pressing all the seams towards the darkest fabric it ensures that the seams will be opposite when the pieces are placed together on this background piece. Setting the seam Press long seams starting in the middle 18 QUILTsocial .com | issue 5