Press flat quilt seams to transform your quilts from good to great. Use my techniques to immediately improve your quilt’s finish. I promise!
Key Highlights
- Learn why you should press flat quilt seams.
- Discover the difference between ironing and pressing
- Essential tools and setting up a pressing station
- Troubleshoot common pressing problems
Introduction
Pressing is about more than erasing wrinkles: it creates a smooth block for trimming, improves accuracy and provides an even surface for stitching the quilt top. I’m a huge fan of pressing and I’m sharing tips here on my blog to help you press your best!
Why are flat seams so important for quilting?
Understanding the Basics of Pressing Quilt Seams
You’ve painstakingly pieced together your quilt top, carefully choosing fabrics and patterns, but you find lumps where the seams meet. NOT what you were striving for, right?
Press flat quilt seams and blocks with proven techniques to make flatter quilt blocks, sharper points, and a finished quilt with that professional “wow” factor.
The Difference Between Pressing and Ironing
Pressing is not the same as ironing your clothes. We’re not chasing wrinkles away with a sliding motion. Use a hot, dry iron (no steam) and a gentle up-and-down motion. Think of it as a gentle pat, encouraging seams to lie flat without distorting the fabric.
What do I mean by distorting the fabric? Quilting fabric is woven in two directions – vertically and horizontally. Pulling or pushing the fabric moves the woven threads off-grain or out of alignment.
Why a dry iron instead of steam, you wanna know? Well, moisture and heat can actually shrink your fabric and thread, or cause it to stretch out of shape – trust me, that’s not a quilting problem you want!
Plus, pressing without steam “sets” the stitches into the fabric, melding them together for a longer-lasting hold. Picture the threads burrowing deeper into the fabric, making it stronger. Remember, in quilting, we want those seams to stay put for a loooong time.
Essential Pressing Tools TO PRESS FLAT QUILT SEAMS
Press flat quilt seams like a pro with a few essentials tools:
- Sturdy ironing board and/or a pressing mat.
- Good quality, clean iron
- Tailor’s or quilter’s clapper.
- Quilter’s spray starch
- Optional: Seam roller and rubber mallet
Quilter Pressing Station
Setting up a dedicated pressing station right next to your sewing machine can streamline your workflow and save you precious time. Consider adding a small table or using a rolling cart to store your tools.
Make sure the ironing board is stable and the cover is smooth and clean.
Clapper, 10-inch wool mat, and Best Press
My 10-inch wool mat is a constant quilting companion. It keeps the underside of the block warm while pressing heat on top. Mats are available in different sizes which work for small spaces or cutting tables.
A tailor’s clapper for quilting is a block of wood that you lay on top of fabric after pressing it. The clapper holds the fabric flat while it cools and sets in place.
Mary Ellen’s Best Press starch is my newest go-to for flattening. I use it in between my first and second pressing round for extra staying power. The lavender scented option is NICE.
Read on below for the process I use or watch the video tutorial on YouTube.
How I Press Flat Quilt Seams
1: Set the seam
Setting seams is a technique used to press the seam right after stitching it, before pressing to one side or opening up the seam allowances. Your thread settles and sinks into the fabric, making the seam stronger. It also flattens the thread itself, which adds bulk to seams.
2: Press and nest seams to the side.
Nesting means that you butt the edges of stitching together, while the raw edges face in opposite directions.
It’s best to press your seams towards the darker fabric or to the “dark side” (hehe). This helps prevent any shadowing or show-through on the quilt top, especially when using lighter fabrics.
3: Grading seam allowances
After pressing the fabric to the side, I grade the seam allowances to get rid of bulk where the fabric joins. When many layers of fabric are sewn together, they become thick and difficult to press flat, especially in the center of a block. Grading is simply trimming away slivers of the seam to create a slope. I know, I know…I’m trimming to less than a quarter inch allowance, but it’s absolutely fine in this case! (Is bulky bumps a quilt emergency? Maybe!) See how to easily grade seam allowances on my blog.
4: Press fabrics on the hottest possible setting. Test the heat on a scrap piece first.
5: Use quilter’s spray starch after the first pressing and then press again for flatter seams.
6: Use a tailor’s clapper or wood clapper to set the seam while the fabric cools.
I set aside the pressed blocks under a clapper and press the next one to speed up the process.
7: Improvise!
You’ll be surprised what you can use as a pressing tool. A seam roller is a great alternative for pressing open seams, especially in tight spaces. It applies pressure to the seam without distorting the fabric, resulting in a smooth, even finish. And believe it or not, our Make Modern Triangles members have used a rubber mallet to beat out lumpy intersections!
Advanced Tips for Perfect Flat Seams
Now that you’ve mastered how to press flat quilt seams, there are more techniques to try when the lumps and bumps won’t flatten. One technique is “spinning” or “twirling” your seams. This involves pressing the seams in opposite directions at each intersection, which helps to distribute the bulk more evenly.
Another tricky area is little points on your squares and triangles. After sewing your pieces together, gently press the whole block flat without opening it up. This helps to set the stitches and prevent any stretching. Once it’s cooled slightly, then you can flip it over and press the seam open or to one side.
Conclusion
Achieving perfectly pressed quilt seams is a crucial step in quilting. Understanding the difference between pressing and ironing, and why flat seams matter, sets the foundation for professional-looking quilts. Having the right tools and techniques, such as handling bulky seam junctions and using a clapper, improves your quilt’s overall appearance, including the stitching. Follow the steps and you’ll be amazed on how nice your quilt top looks!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it always better to press seams open or to one side?
It depends! Pressing open reduces bulk but can sometimes make seam intersections a tad trickier. Pressing to one side can create nesting seams, helpful for aligning blocks. The best method often depends on your project. And you can always mix open and pressed to the side in the same project when needed.
What can I do if my seams won’t stay flat?
A light spray of starch can work wonders for achieving a crisp seam, especially when dealing with stubborn fabrics. Just be sure to test a scrap first to ensure it doesn’t leave any unwanted residue.
Apply a light mist to the seam allowance, press, and let it dry completely before handling it. This will give those seams extra staying power.
Resources on the Blog
Tame Triangles with a 5-Step Process
See how to easily grade seam allowances on this post.
Thank you for the perfect tutorial on pressing and setting seams. I just started a new quilt and look forward to applying each step! The only tool I need is a clapper.