Best Way to Press for Flat Quilt Seams

One of the most important skills you'll need to master when quilting is how to press your seams. It's not hard, but if you aren't doing it correctly, you won't get the results that you want in your project. Kim explains the best way to press quilt seams and the products she uses to ensure perfect results.
#quilting #howtopress #pressingseams
Mentioned in this video:
Easy Press Solution Starter Kit by Acorn Precision Piecing Products
amzn.to/3bAOdlz
Easy Press Solution Refill by Acorn Precision Piecing Products
amzn.to/3cB79Am
Visit my Amazon store to check out my favourite and recommended quilting notions, gifts, and books at www.amazon.com/shop/chatterbo...
You might also be interested in my curated list of free motion quilting books at kit.co/Chatterboxquilts
When I am able, I use affiliate links and might receive compensation if you purchase through one of these links.
I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and as such earn from qualifying purchases. The price is the same for you, I just receive $$$ which allows me to continue creating free content for you. Thanks!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If you're looking to improve your quilting skills and make new quilting friends, join The Quilter’s Way! The Quilter's Way helps quilters of all skill levels learn and grow in a fun, supportive community. Go to thequiltersway.com for more information.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
For more quilting goodness:
JOIN our email list to get FREE quilting information from Chatterbox Quilts at www.chatterboxquilts.com/emails.
🎶"Wouldn't you like to be a Chattie too?" 🎶 Become a Chattie by joining the FREE Chatterbox Quilts' Crew group at www.chatterboxquilts.com/cqc.🧵
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SUBSCRIBE to be notified when a new video has been released at / chatterboxquilter
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
YOU CAN ALSO FIND ME AT:
WEBSITE: www.chatterboxquilts.com
FACEBOOK: / chatterboxquilts
PINTEREST: / cbquilts
INSTAGRAM: / chatterboxquilts
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thanks for liking and sharing these videos with your fellow quilters.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
QUESTIONS? Contact me at [e-mail]

[@gailsteinberg7161]

You’re such a good teacher Kim. You are clear and precise. Thanks so much.

[@chi2tan]

Ha... "if only my cat can do that"😂 I am always wondering between dry vs steam when ironing. The comment about the heat vs weight of iron is what's doing the work is a revelation to me. Also "Ironing vs pressing"! Thank you!

[@lauriebenzie1386]

I press open whenever possible with a dry iron. I reduce my stitch length to 1.5, use quality cotton thread for piecing, poly for quilting, and have not experienced any problems with my SID quilting coming undone even in quilts that are being loved to tatters by the grandchildren. That Acorn stuff looks like magic to me! Thanks for the videos, I enjoy them very much.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

I'm hoping that you don't have to use your seam ripper too often, Laurie! 1.5 stitch length - yikes! Good for you and this would definitely help with stitching in the ditch. Thanks for watching.

[@luannchadwick1066]

I press my seams open with a dry iron and use a stitch length of 1.5. I have never had any problems with SID. I do press my seams with a starch product. I pressed my seams to the side for years but switched to open a couple of years ago. I really like the flatness and evenness (as in less bulk) of the open seams. I love your videos. They are very informative. Thanks for making them.

[@dianam.9554]

After seeing your video, I will press to the dark side. Great information!!! I was on the fence about pressing my seam open, but not anymore. Love your videos.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sisiepuntil-wilcek8871]

Your videos are ALWAYS so helpful! Thank you

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@homeschmomof4]

I am new to quilting and like your rational of pressing to one side. I will be doing that now. TFS!

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Wonderful!

[@nicolemahan2098]

Great tips. I guess my latest issue is with a pinwheel type block, lots of points merging into one. Is there a great solution to that?

[@Carol-mv4ly]

I will definately not press open anymore ! Thank you so much for the tips and I'm going to look around for an iron without holes too ☺ P.S. I love your cats every where.

[@Lynda5876]

As a newbie to quilting I am learning so much. I just switched to pressing to the side and am guilty of moving my iron. Thanks for posting this video and reminding us we will distort all of our precision cutting and piecing when we move our irons! I also just ordered the Acorn starter kit. Thanks again!

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@sherrid4695]

I used to press open, but not any more. The seams on the back of one of my quilts where I sewed the fabric for my backing together have come apart. The quilt does get used and washed, but I didn't have that problem on the top. I think it's because the intricate piecing required ironing to the side. Since all other factors were the same I can only conclude that it was the open pressing. It took me many hours using tiny hidden stitches to repair the back.

[@illawallaroo]

This is so very helpful! I’m new to quilting (albeit at an advanced age :o), and your basic how-to videos are just wonderful!

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@mmckerley1]

Thanks for the video. I started with pressing to the dark side but have swayed over to pressing my seams open especially for smaller blocks. I can certainly see the concern for SITD with open seams. I like the precision application of the product for flatter seams. So, I'm going to try to incorporate you're strategy into my next sampler project and see how it turns out. Thanks. Let me know how the cats respond to the applicator. I have a teenage son I'd like to try it on, too. 😁

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Persida_]

Here’s my question. I’m new to quilting. I do use the Acorn Easy Press Pen. I’ve been pressing my seams open. Now, when you press to one side it’s not really flat even using the Easy Press Pen. How will that play out when it’s being long armed??

[@distaff2935]

Open. Hand piecer and hand quilter (just my preference - you can't "lounge" infront of a sewing machine). Easier to finger press, the block lays flatter after a proper iron press later, less bulk for quilting, and my blocks finish more accurately. Yup - no stitch-in-the-ditch with that!

[@joanbarker6581]

I do press to one side.

[@kathyburt3294]

The Acorn refill is not available and says not sure if ever going to be available?? are they still going to be in business? I don' t want to start using something if I can't get refills. thanks, this was very helpful

[@Chatterboxquilts]

As the link is through Amazon, the seller may currently be out of that product. You may need to search for another supplier either online or locally. Rest assured that this product isn't going anywhere and will be available for quite some time, I'm sure.

[@micadina7129]

Hi Kim, I am writing from Spain and I wish I could buy the Easy Press Solution Starter Kit but unfortunately they don't send to Europe. Do you think that your basting spray would do the same job? Thanks for your answer and for alll your teachings.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

The basting spray does stiffen the fabric so good for initial pressing but I'm not sure that it would work as well for pressing seams. Hopefully they'll be broadening their reach so that you can order some - it's really great!

[@deborahlancaster3226]

May I ask what spray bottle you use and if you could link to it and the iron you use…..thanks

[@Chatterboxquilts]

First, this is an older video so I do things a bit differently now. I use different spray bottles for this and other products I use in my studio. I've found one that is for plants and has an adjustable spray nozzle works best like the Zep spray bottles that you can find on Amazon. This isn't the one I currently use but I don't think you'd be able to find the one I use anymore as I've had it for awhile. While I like the cute spray bottle that you see in the video, they definitely have a shelf life and all of the ones I've had no longer spray so I don't recommend those. I currently use the Panasonic Cordless iron (amzn.to/46FR6wR) as well as a regular Black and Decker one that I bought at Walmart - no steam in either.

[@judybird315]

The links to the Acorn products do not bring up any results. This may be because I'm in the UK? Would be interested to find out if they're available here.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Yes, unfortunately you may find it hard to get overseas. I know it's available in Canada and the US at this time. 😰

[@patriciacarey6324]

What about the glue and you machine?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Are you talking about the Seam Align Glue that they make? I've also used this product for raw edge appliqué and it can work for other uses as well, especially to ensure that you are able to stitch your pieces together accurately.