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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-06-2005, 10:53 PM (1 of 30)
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Okay I have very very carefully cut my strips-squares. I have very carefull sewed them together. I have tried and tried to iron them so that they are FLAT!!!! and doesn't have that little hill, or the seams are not completey pressed . I am still having a terrible-TERRIBLE-terrible time with this pressing. They just don't want to lay flat unless I push the iron over the seam which of course is a no no. Why am I having this problem? I am using a high heat no steam, am trying not to go back and forth. What am I doing wrong?????????????????????????????????/ Summer (very frustrated right now) Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 05-06-2005, 11:04 PM (2 of 30)
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Are you ironing from the back or the front ??? Ironing from the back to press the seam down is easier, that way you press to one side, OR open.
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: carman
Date: 05-06-2005, 11:23 PM (3 of 30)
| have you alternated the sides you press too when sewing 2 blocks together? rather than have 2 seams on top of each other (makes for bulk) |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-07-2005, 11:14 AM (4 of 30)
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Yes I press from the back first and I try not to have two seams going in the same direction. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: joannequilts
Date: 05-07-2005, 12:42 PM (5 of 30)
| summer, try to press your seams open. Some people do have a hard time with the little bulk so try this method to see if this helps. |
User: joannequilts
Member since: 12-22-2000 Total posts: 3070 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-07-2005, 02:45 PM (6 of 30)
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Thank you Joanne I shall try that. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: R.Cook
Date: 05-09-2005, 02:38 PM (7 of 30)
| Summers, Three things I can think of are 1) are you using 100% cotton, fabric with polyester is very hard to get to lay flat. 2) is your iron hot enough 3) you can spritz the seam with a little water before pressing. Good Luck. Rhoda |
User: R.Cook
Member since: 05-09-2005 Total posts: 1 |
From: LillianSews
Date: 05-09-2005, 03:09 PM (8 of 30)
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Summer, I use steam. I first press my seam as sewn to lock in the stitches. When I say press, I lay the iron on the seam, don't move it back & forth. Then if I'm pressing the seam to the dark fabric, I lay the piece with the dark fabric wrong side up & seam away from me. Press with the side of the iron opening the seam. If you ever watch Quilt in a Day or have one of the books, they explain this really well. It's harder to explain than show. Also important that the material is cotton and you have a reasonably hard (versus cushy) ironing surface. Hope this helps. LillianSews |
User: LillianSews
Member since: 03-02-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-09-2005, 09:28 PM (9 of 30)
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Hi Lillian and Rhoda, Welcome to Sew Whats New. I use 100 % cotton, have my iron set on linen, no steam. That is how high it goes. I also have one of those mini clover iron and that is set on high. I iron on my ironing board with the usual ironing board cover. I have been pressing the seams open and that seems to help. Man quilting doesn't seem to like me. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: joannequilts
Date: 05-10-2005, 03:40 AM (10 of 30)
| Don't get discouraged, this is just a little area that is giving you fits right now. It almost sounds like the iron isn't hot enough. Also what type of thread are you using on your machine for sewing? |
User: joannequilts
Member since: 12-22-2000 Total posts: 3070
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-10-2005, 07:39 AM (11 of 30)
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My thread is C & C. I have never had a problem with it doing all the tings that people have said it does. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: joannequilts
Date: 05-10-2005, 08:07 AM (12 of 30)
| That is good thread. |
User: joannequilts
Member since: 12-22-2000 Total posts: 3070
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From: esrun3
Date: 05-10-2005, 09:45 AM (13 of 30)
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Summer, I use steam. I first press my seam as sewn to lock in the stitches. When I say press, I lay the iron on the seam, don't move it back & forth. Then if I'm pressing the seam to the dark fabric, I lay the piece with the dark fabric wrong side up & seam away from me. Press with the side of the iron opening the seam. If you ever watch Quilt in a Day or have one of the books, they explain this really well. It's harder to explain than show. Also important that the material is cotton and you have a reasonably hard (versus cushy) ironing surface. Hope this helps. LillianSews Summer, I also press as Lillian does.............works like a charm. Hang in there-you'll figure out what works best for you. Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 05-10-2005, 07:57 PM (14 of 30)
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Summer, I don't know if this is your problem but I was just wondering whether the pressing problem you are experiencing is because your seams are going in the same direction. This will make the seam very thick and hard to press flat. When you are sewing your pieces of the block together, the seams that meet on the top and bottom pieces should be pressed in opposite directions so you can "butt" them together. I know I have to plan the pressing of the seams to avoid this problem. Hope this helps.
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: oklahomanana
Date: 05-10-2005, 10:28 PM (15 of 30)
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Summer, I use steam with all my pieces. I always prewash my fabric though, so I don't have to worry about shrinking or bleeding fabric. I agree with the other ladies what they have said. Just keep practicing and you will get it girl. Don't get discouraged, This is just a little (bump in the road so to speak) so keep on, it will turn out fine. One of the best gifts to give a child/grandchild is your listening ear.
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User: oklahomanana
Member since: 09-07-2004 Total posts: 406 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-10-2005, 11:13 PM (16 of 30)
Thank You Everyone for your words of encouragement and tips. I am still trying, getting a little better I think. All of you in the siggy swap will see  .Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: grandmasue
Date: 05-11-2005, 09:46 AM (17 of 30)
I am a self-taught quilter so what hints I will share may not be correct and if they are not, someone slap me and set me straight  First I made a special board for ironing the blocks. I took a piece of plywood about 16 inches square and covered it with one layer of a firm cotton batting and then used an old but good ironing board cover to cover the batting, tacked it on the back with a staple gun and cut off the excess. This can now sit on a chair next to my machine or right on the counter next to my machine, (Why waste time getting up to iron if you don't have to?) And I never knew to not use steam so I do use it all the time. I even keep a can of a product called 'spray sizing' handy (Not spray starch) This has helped me with many a stubborn seam or re-doing a seam that I pressed in the wrong direction and does not leave a white residue when you use it. Whatever you do, don't give up. Take a break, and come back later. tackle the problem with a fresh mind and a solution may come to you. Grandma Sue
------------ At the end I am not showing up at my grave all pretty and well preserved...I am coming in sliding, yelling "What a ride!" |
User: grandmasue
Member since: 10-26-2004 Total posts: 138 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-11-2005, 10:18 AM (18 of 30)
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Grandma Sue, I have one of those (mom made one for her) so maybe I will use that. I also found an older iron so am going to try that too. This iron is a newer one and has all these bells and whistles, I don't really think it is made for this kind of ironing. With steam it works great, without steam it makes things difficult. Since I am at my moms taking care of her I am using her stuff. Thanks for all the tips and ideas. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: oklahomanana
Date: 05-11-2005, 01:32 PM (19 of 30)
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Summer i also use magic sizing Not spray starch when doing my quilting too! WORKS GREAT . GOOD STUFF! Grandma Sue, I have one of those (mom made one for her) so maybe I will use that. I also found an older iron so am going to try that too. This iron is a newer one and has all these bells and whistles, I don't really think it is made for this kind of ironing. With steam it works great, without steam it makes things difficult. Since I am at my moms taking care of her I am using her stuff. Thanks for all the tips and ideas. Summer One of the best gifts to give a child/grandchild is your listening ear.
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User: oklahomanana
Member since: 09-07-2004 Total posts: 406
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From: Susy
Date: 05-11-2005, 04:11 PM (20 of 30)
| Is it OK to use steam as long as you set the iron down & just press? I have read and been told never to use steam but there have been a couple of times where I, too, could not get seams to lay flat so, feeling like a cheater, I did use steam and it sure did work better. So, is it a preference, like pre-washing fabric?? |
User: Susy
Member since: 02-05-2005 Total posts: 39 |
From: carman
Date: 05-11-2005, 04:37 PM (21 of 30)
i am a steamer on everything 
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User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692
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From: oklahomanana
Date: 05-11-2005, 08:06 PM (22 of 30)
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Guilty as charged! LOL! I too am a steamer on all my pieces~ I was told by an experienced teacher of quilting that it is a individual preference just as prewashing is, so I DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To me it sure makes a difference. I tell ya something else, I read somewhere it is a personal preference to open or close your seams~ Yes, I nearly fainted! LOL! haven't ever tried them open except in sewing. That was her case. We do it in our sewing, so why not in our quilting. I CLOSE MINE and do BUTT them up against each other! Oh well, I think so much of it is trial and error on your own preferences, just as long you maintain CONSISTENCY in what you do~~~~~~~~~ Do I get a hit in the head now or later??????????????????????????? LOL~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
One of the best gifts to give a child/grandchild is your listening ear.
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User: oklahomanana
Member since: 09-07-2004 Total posts: 406
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From: Susy
Date: 05-11-2005, 10:49 PM (23 of 30)
| Oh, thank you! I have been so busy trying to do it all "right", looks like quilting is "do what works best for you"! I love this SWN, takes so much frustration out of the quilting, reading what everybody does! |
User: Susy
Member since: 02-05-2005 Total posts: 39 |
From: oklahomanana
Date: 05-11-2005, 10:52 PM (24 of 30)
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Susy, I have learned so much from everyone here. Everyone is so kind to answer your questions and explain it however many times it takes to get the job done. I think it is the best ever! If one can't help ya, there is another in line waiting on ya to help out. It is wonderful~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of the best gifts to give a child/grandchild is your listening ear.
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User: oklahomanana
Member since: 09-07-2004 Total posts: 406
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From: grandmasue
Date: 05-11-2005, 11:07 PM (25 of 30)
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It was explained to me by someone that the theory behind ironing the seam to the side and not open is that it puts less strain on the thread and helps prevent having your quilt bust open at the seams. It also prevents the little peek-a-boo line of batting that may show thru a seam ironed open if your stitches are slightly loose. Just thought I'd share this theory in case anyone wondered.
Grandma Sue
------------ At the end I am not showing up at my grave all pretty and well preserved...I am coming in sliding, yelling "What a ride!" |
User: grandmasue
Member since: 10-26-2004 Total posts: 138
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From: carman
Date: 05-11-2005, 11:23 PM (26 of 30)
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here is another theory on pressing to one side:it was done because the old quilts were mostly hand sewn and the open seams made for week seams and pressing them to one side made a stronger seam. oh oh i am a steamer AND a pre washer too. i agree, as long as you are consistant throughout things will work out. the same thing goes for mixing cottons and polycottons in the same quilt, some quilters faint at the thought. i have made many scrap quilts that i have mixed those two and a few more, log cabin quilts exspecially, as i have made them out of our old cloths from kids and those quilts were treasures to me as i could look at the fabric and with fond memories. i wouldn't make an heirloom quilt probably out of mixed fabrics, and most of my quilts are 100% cotton, but i must say i LOVE scappy quilts for the very reason they are SCRAPS  i don't think our quilters from generations ago would not make a quilt just because they did not have a cotton, i could be wrong, i hope not though. threads are the same, poly cotton they say is strong for cotton material and will cut the fabric over time.  i think we have come up with waaaaaaaaaaaaay to many rules.now i am going to run 
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User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692
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From: shirleyp
Date: 05-12-2005, 01:01 AM (27 of 30)
I agree, there are too many rules. Many times I have people tell me what a nice quilt, why, because I break all the rules. Unless you are entering in a show I say go for what ever works for you. I'm a rebel at heart.  How do you think the quilters (teachers/experts) came up with their ideas. They didn't quite like how it was done and did something different.
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User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 352 
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From: Julia's Nana
Date: 05-12-2005, 10:07 AM (28 of 30)
| Oh yes there are way too many rules.............but I found too, that they change depending on who wrote the directions. So, as long as my quilts are to put on the bed to keep someone warm or for my grandkids to snuggle and play with................I will do what works for me. Most of the time once you are finished it would take a experienced quilter to see what you did anyway and there aren't any around my house.............there is just me and I am still trying to find my way deciding what is MY way. |
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001 Total posts: 361 |
From: Brownbear
Date: 10-05-2005, 10:38 PM (29 of 30)
| Don't worry about that little hill in the seams. When you layer the top with the batting and backing, you won't even know those "hills" are there anymore. All the hills and valleys in the seams will be taken up in the batting. - Nancy |
User: Brownbear
Member since: 10-05-2005 Total posts: 1 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 10-06-2005, 09:07 AM (30 of 30)
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Hi Nancy, Welcome to Sew Whats News. I am getting a little better with my bumps, I still haven't finished the top I was referring too, but I see over the time I have been doing it, I have improved silghtly. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
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