One thing I have been thinking about while sewing these blocks, and at the risk of sounding like an old fuddy duddy, I miss the good old days of pressing seams to the side or "to the dark". I really dislike pressing seams open and it seems that most block and mystery patterns want you to press open these days. I know this sometimes helps blocks to lay flatter, but every block takes longer to press and needing to pin every seam join is annoying. When the seams are pressed to opposite sides, it's so easy to butt seams together perfectly without using pins.
Any thoughts on this issue of pressing seams open or to one side? Maybe it's just me?!?!
The next set of instructions will be posted on December 7th, so this project is going back in the box until then.
To see more design wall postings, hop over to Small Quilts.
I totally agree with your thoughts on pressing!
ReplyDeleteI prefer pressing to the side, and nesting seams. Which can't be done when pressing seams open.
ReplyDeleteI'm a side presser too, partly for nesting, but also for stitching in the ditch when I quilt on my home machine. It's the only way to prevent shifting for free-motion quilting.
ReplyDeleteI like pressing to one side too. Butting seams is so easy and pressing is less timing consuming....more time to sew!!But having said all that...in mystery quilts it is a necessary evil I guess.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!
I was pressing seams open the other day and had the exact same thoughts as you. I'm pretty sure I could've gotten twice the blocks done had I not had to fiddle with getting those seams open. I really could have just gone with the old method, but being a rule follower and all, I thought it best to follow the instructions. It is tedious, though, and I'm not really sure it aids in getting seams matched. It's so much easier when you can nest the seam allowances.
ReplyDeleteI still only press to the side. For me it makes joining easier. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteI find pressing seams open to be tedious and I have much more trouble matching seams. So I mostly press to the dark side and I spin seams when possible.
ReplyDeleteI've also reached the conclusion that I'm not a fan of mystery quilts.
Pat
I’m a mostly to the side person too. The only time I press open is if there is too much bulk at the seam joins, or if I’m using high contrast white and black together and if pressing to the side will leave the black showing behind the white, or something like that.
ReplyDeleteNest, nest, nest! I only press open if forced! The only mystery quilt I ever did had seams pressed to the side.
ReplyDeleteLike Annie, I only press open if there is too much bulk, and that is usually only the case on an occasional mini quilt. I still mostly press to the side, even on my minis.
ReplyDeleteOne of my machine quilters doesn't like me to bring her quilts with seams pressed open. I like to press to the side, and the only exception is on very small doll quilts where there are lot of seams on the back, and it seems to lie flatter if some of the seams are pressed open. But the pressing them open is sure a pain, I agree. Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for linking with Design Wall Monday, Judy
ReplyDeleteVery fun blocks. I don't mind pressing seams open, but like you prefer to press to one side or the other. I still pin at each intersection even when butting seams, I just get better matches that way.
ReplyDeleteI would also be pressing them to one side. Hope you mystery quilt all works out.
ReplyDeleteAdd me to the "seams to the side" crew! I find it easier to match seams when I can nest them, and it gives me a ditch for stitching in the ditch. I like the colors you have chosen for your mystery quilt. It will be lovely, even with seams pressed open :)
ReplyDeleteCount me as a side presser - I don't think I know how to press seams open. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you! I almost never press open! =O
ReplyDeleteAnd the layout of your units is really nice! that would be a great block. It kind of reminds me of a sunflower. =)
I rarely press open as yes it is hard to match seams. The blocks great, and I can not wait to see the whole quilt together.
ReplyDelete