Pressing may seem like one of those things everyone automatically knows and that it is not necessary to “teach” quilters how to press. Many have come to quilting with a garment construction background ...some with no sewing experience at all. It isn’t unusual to hear new quilters remark that “this isn’t the way my grandmother did it”...and that is true. Quilting today is an ART and quilters should approach each new project with the idea that they have a chance to expand their skills and to grow as a quilter, as well as artistically. So, even though it may sound corny, teaching someone to PRESS is a very basic and necessary step in the art of quilt making. The words “pressing” and “ironing” are two different things although they are done with the same equipment. With “ironing” you’re out to conquer those wrinkles...grab that iron and slap it down...wiggle it back and forth, force those creases into submission! “Pressing”, on the other hand, is a more delicate persuasion...gently hovering over the fabric while lifting the iron up and down to correctly direct the seams to the position you need them to be in...all without stretching and distorting the pieces out of shape.

PRESSING YARDAGE   Flat, crisp yardage is important. However, before starting a new project I recommend pre-washing and preshrinking the fabric if you did not do this when you brought the fabric home from the store. Pre-washing does two things...it allows you to test for colorfastness and it removes the manufacturer’s finishing and sizing. I do not use any detergent in the washer (the fabrics are not dirty) and I wash all my fabrics in cold water. To absorb any excess dye, I use a dye-grabber sheet in the wash (you can find them in the laundry section of your grocery store under several brand names). With the dryer set on ‘perment press’, partially dry the fabric. Press the fabric while it is slightly damp...the moisture provides the extra steam necessary to smooth out any wrinkles.   Starting near the center of the yardage, with the selvages together, adjust the selvage edges so the fabric hangs straight and smooth.

Drape the fabric over the ironing board, and press from the center out in both directions...always keeping the selvages together. Do not press too hard at the fold...sometimes it is hard to remove a fold line when it ends up in the middle of a block.

PRESSING SEAMS   For best results, I recommend that you learn to ‘press as you go’. This phrase, from garment construction, means that you press each seam allowance in place before moving on to the next step. This may mean one seam allowance at a time or a series of seam allowances, as with chain piecing.   Constructing the block or the quilt top is simpler and more precise when seam allowances lie flat against the back of the fabric and the line of each seam is crisp and clean, without tucks or folds. The neater and more precise each seam is...the easier the next piece is to stitch to it and the more professional and attractive the finished quilt.   Before you press the seam allowance, you must ‘set the seam’ by laying the piece flat and gently pressing the stitches on the seam line as they were sewn. This makes it easier to turn over the seam allowance and helps smooth stitching puckers and eased fullness.

Now, with the wrong side of the fabric facing up, pick up the top layer of fabric and gently lay it over. The seam will be pressed toward the fabric that is on top. As you press, use your fingertips to ease the top layer of fabric over and to feel the bulk of the seam allowance to ensure that the seam remains flat. I call this ‘pressing from the right side’ because you are directing the seam allowance to one side while the iron is pressing from the right side of the piece.   Use one continuous movement to press the seam allowance in place. Don’t wiggle the iron back and forth....  only up and down as you go along the seam line.

PRESSING PLAN   Some instructions tell you in which direction to press the seam allowances...but if they don’t, you should try to work out a ‘pressing plan’. One of the goals of a pressing plan is to evenly distribute the bulk created by the seam allowance which can make it difficult to accurately piece the quilt. By doing this, you can create a flatter, more accurate, and easier-to-piece quilt top.   You have all heard that you should ‘press toward the dark’. Well, that is not true. If you have used white or a very light fabric in your quilt top and the seam allowance ’shadows’ through, then press toward the dark IF the shadow bothers you. But most of the time, you should press for success...that is, press the seam allowances in the direction they need to be for a flatter intersection.   When a seam allowance is pressed to one side, there is a slight ridge along the seam line. This creates high and low sides and the bulk of the seam allowance is on the high side. If, when two seams intersect and the seam allowances have been pressed in opposing directions, the bulk of the seam allowances is distributed evenly. In addition, you can butt the two ridges against each other to hold the seam firmly in place.

Since butting seam allowances makes it easier and faster to stitch the quilt, another goal of a pressing plan is to have as many seams as possible going in the opposite directions.

PRESSING SEAMS OPEN   Several of the same steps are used when pressing seam allowances open...which I am starting to do more and more when it is necessary to reduce a great amount of bulk...such as at Y seams or where 3 or more seams come together. First, set the seam ,then open the piece and place it right side down on the ironing board. Now set the tip of the iron in the groove between the two seam allowances and move the iron along the length of the seam, using light pressure and lifting the iron ever so slightly as you move down the seam line. Work your fingertips in front of the iron to open the seam allowance and to prevent creases from forming. Just be very careful that the seam line stays straight...it’s very easy to press a crocked line when pressing the seam allowances open. STEAM OR NO STEAM? Have you been told that steam is bad? Well, it’s not. Overly aggressive pressing (like ironing) with steam causes blocks and strips to stretch out of shape. When used correctly, steam helps set the seam and keeps it crisp...assuming you are working with a good-quality 100% cotton fabric. Because it can be easy to distort the fabric when using steam, beginning quilters may prefer to use a dry iron. Anyone confident in their pressing skills, can however, turn on the steam. ACCURACY!! Nothing replaces accuracy...and accuracy starts with good sewing skills. If a seam is inaccurately stitched or a piece is too big or small, while it is still in the construction stage, it is much easier to correct the problem . Finding out after your top is completed and ready to be layered and quilted is not the time to find out it does not lay flat...or the borders ripple...or the seam right in the middle is a good 1/4” off from matching. Well, let’s just say that’s probably why there are so many unfinished projects out there! If you have a problem and do not know how to fix it...get advice from a quilt expert. Don’t hide your projects...finish them!

© Copyright 2002 Margaret A. Callahan-Smith