The Best Pressing Tool

[@debmetheral6596]

I have the roller and love it!

[@CarolinaMoore]

This was the first time I'd used it and I'm now a fan! 🥰

[@deananeill9790]

Wow I have not seen the other two tools! This is cool

[@CarolinaMoore]

I love having options! Glad I could share some new tools with you. 🥰

[@carlynnewright1816]

When or if do you press your seams open. Liked your video!

[@CarolinaMoore]

Oh! Great question! I almost always press my seams to the side. This is because pressing seams open means that in the area right behind the seam, there is no fabric. I worry that this may weaken the quilt. Also, if you press seams open, you cannot do "stitch in the ditch" quilting because there is no ditch. If pressing to the side will create a ton of bulk with seams intersecting other seams, such as with tiny piecing, I will press open. I did with the lucky charms block I shared on my blog earlier this week. But then, when quilting, I keep that in mind. Some people will press open because they say a seam is more flat when they press open. But, in quilting, we'll be layering the quilt top on batting and backing and then stitching through the layers to quilt it ... and when quilting those seam allowances get pushed into the batting where you don't usually notice them. So it doesn't make a difference in the "flatness" of the top when quilted. 🥰

[@monicaeggleton8894]

Hello Carolina, I love your name. After getting your newsletter today, yes I read them, I jumped over here to subscribe. Thank you for the free patterns. I especially like your fresh look at traditional piecing. Do you have a recommendation on a book or inexpensive program to get a good concept of color play with different patterns? I love Tula Pink fabric but don’t know how to utilize print fabric like this unless I only use one print with solids. Thanks for your time, perhaps a video idea. Peace, Monica

[@CarolinaMoore]

Hi! Glad you popped over herr to KZbin! And, great question!! My best suggestion for playing with colors is to go to a quilt shop. There you can pull different fabrics off the shelves, lay them side-by-side, and see how well they play together. Also, pay attention to the quilts that you like when you see them online and in person - what is it that draws you to the quilt? I often use electric quilt software (EQ8), which allows me to import fabrics and see how they will work together. But nothing beats experience. Trying things out - some plans won't work well, and some will be amazing ... you just have to play around with it. Discovery is part of the joy of quilting for me! 🥰

[@mrsscottdaniels]

Thanks for making the videos. I thought I had found one where you had a cricut maker cut out the pattern for you but I've not been able to find it again. LoL do you still have that video and if you do I'd love to see more like that.

[@CarolinaMoore]

Hi! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos! I have had the Cricut Maker cut out a Quilt pattern. And Cricut used to have a licensing agreement with Simplicity, so I have a couple videos where I had the Cricut cut out Simplicity patterns. Are those the ones you're thinking of, maybe?

[@mrsscottdaniels]

@@CarolinaMoore that sounds right. I've been trying to find the one and I just can't locate it.

[@CarolinaMoore]

I have a bunch in this playlist, maybe that will help you find it: Cricut: kzbin.info/aero/PLiXcj-uYvMDYqReXDpTADCTyxXO37FAwl

[@mrsscottdaniels]

@@CarolinaMoore yay thank you!!!

[@CarolinaMoore]

@@mrsscottdaniels I'm glad I could help! ❤

[@jeanneluddeni3121]

I have irons steamers and that tiny iron which is so cute..

[@CarolinaMoore]

Yes! Love my mini oliso! 🥰

[@carmenmullins8901]

I like the pressing stick you used. Is your friend selling those?

[@CarolinaMoore]

It was a gift about 8 years ago ... I think she bought it at a craft fair? I linked to two similar ones in the video description. You might be able to find something on Etsy as well?

[@carmenmullins8901]

@@CarolinaMoore Ok will try that. Thank you. :)

[@CarolinaMoore]

My pleasure! Sorry I couldn't get you a direct link! 💖

[@kimberlyfuse1162]

Does the wool pressing mat smell bad when you're using it?

[@CarolinaMoore]

Excellent question! At the beginning I noticed a really slight smell. If I'm using steam, I'll sometimes smell a faint smell. But I rarely notice. And I've been told I have a really good nose. 🤷‍♀️

[@mrogers2345]

Did they measure the same? Just curious how the different tools effect the Size outcome. The roller and the Iron stuck out to me as the most similar. Loved these comparisons.

[@CarolinaMoore]

Oh! Great question! I've already used them in another project, so I can't go measure, but based on the quality of the press, and how well I had starched the fabric before, I'm pretty sure they were still the same size. The fabric didn't feel like it distorted, which would have stretched it larger, and there wasn't a pucker in the seam, which would make it smaller.

[@Suz_408]

I've always said that sewing is more ironing than actual sewing.

[@CarolinaMoore]

It feels that way sometimes! 🙃🤪😆