Fact or Fiction? - Pressing Seam Allowances to One Side Strengthens Seams
Sunday June 22, 2008
I like to press seam allowances to the side (rather than open) because of that little bump (called loft) the allowance fabric creates underneath and to the side of the seam. When seam allowances in adjacent patches are pressed in opposite directions the lofts butt into each other, making it easy to sew perfectly matched seams. But there are times when pressing open is helpful -- for reducing bulk and to deal with seam-filled intersections.
So what do you think about the common guideline that seam allowances should be pressed to the side to increase strength? I know several people who always press their seam allowances open, and even though I usually press to the side, I don't necessarily think it strengthens a quilt. I'd appreciate it if you would vote in the poll and then leave a comment if you'd like to explain your vote -- it's a topic that quilters disagree about, and your opinion will help beginners get a feel for their quiltmaking options.
POLL: Does pressing seam allowances to one side really strengthen seams?
Comments
I almost always press to the side, to make matching easier when machine piecing. And I do it when hand piecing as well. The exception is when I am piecing an 8 pointed star, or other pattern with many seams meeting in the middle. Then I press them so that the center of the block lies flat. That can mean stopping the stitching 1/4″ from the edge of the patch, which will allow the seams to “swirl”when they are all pressed in the same direction. sometimes the seams are pressed open, especially when I don’t want a very dark seam behind a light patch, but the seam would otherwise be pressed to the lighter fabric ( usually when joining rows.) So far all my quilts have held up.
I don’t think I have ever heard that pressing to the side makes the seam stronger. But if I think about it pressing the seam open (which makes the seam flatter and is sometimes desired) and then pulling on the fabric puts a to way strain on the fabric and it the stitching is not exactly tight slackness can cause the seam to open up more. This could cause wear and tear over time. Is there a scientist out there who could test the theory?! I mainly press both seams to the side to nest them so my seams match up evenly. I might have to try sewing and pressing a few seams differently to see.
I am not a quilter, but I do make and sew tablerunners in small squares. I most always press my folds in one direction only because it seems easier that way.
When I first started quilting years ago, I always pressed the seams open, because they were flat, and the iron did not create a little fold (and light line) next to the seam when I was ironing the finished block. But, as the quilts were used over the years, I found that the weakest point in the quilt was at the seams. It is really difficult to repair a block that has failed at the seam. Since I started pressing the seams together and to one side, I haven’t had that problem. I have also had problems (with the pressed open quilts) of the batting working itself out through the stitching lines where the seams were pressed open. When they are pressed to one side, there isn’t a space for the batting to escape.
I have several antique quilts too. It is almost exclusively the pressed open seams that wear first on them as well (except for edges of course).
Hi DeeLynne — that’s excellent information. It’s really good to hear about your actual experiences with pressing.
Thank you all — please keep the comments coming!
I press to the sides because I was told to and never thought about it..duh… So, while I said “I don’t know” initially, after reading DeeLynne’s comments, I would vote STRENGTHENS…yes. It makes sense that an open seam would be weaker and be more subject to stress.
I feel pressing the seams open puts strain on the stitching thread. There are many more threads per inch in the fabric fold then in the stitching line. i have repaired many older quilts and it is usually the thread stitching or quilting that seems to go first. if you press one open and pull from both sides you will see the seam spread open.
Happy stitching all
By pressing to one side, the stiches have fabric underneath them. In my mind this makes the seam stronger. Also, it means that if you are working with poly batt [kids quilts], there is less bearding.
In all my years of sewing clothing, it appears that seams fail far more often due to stress parallel to the seam, rather than pulling across the seam. This is especially true if seams run on the bias (as in all those half square triangles).
When I first began quilting I pressed seams to one side because that’s what I was told to do. After I made a few, I found that pressing seams open made much less bulk where seams intersect. It made machine quilting a lot smoother and easier–fewer skipped stitches and broken needles.
Now I press most seems open. It makes the top flatter, and completely avoids the issue of pressing to the light or the dark. I use a very short stitch and have never had a problem with bearding. My rule of thumb: if you pull on both sides of the pressed-open seam and you can see through it, the stitch is too long. I guess only time will tell as to the strength of my seams, but no problems yet.
I press my seams open. I used to press to the sides years ago. The difference for me was in quilting the top together on the machine, or even by hand. I can sew in the ditch with a straighter line better.If you hand sew the quilt top after pressing the seams to one side you have to be for sure 1/4″ in.. It is not fun to go through extra fabric.
I usually press to the side 1) because of the added accuracy in piecing 2) because of bearding. That said; there are times with small pieces or lots of intersections that I press open to reduce bulk. I now know enough to trust myself and evaluate the decision needed for the project rather than be locked into some Quilt Police dogma of “always/never”