Thursday, September 01, 2011

Am I becoming a seams open convert?

In my learn to quilt class 2 years ago it was strongly stressed about the importance of pressing your seams to the side. The reason was for stronger seams and for nesting seams easily. I happily went along with that but doing a lot of muttering when I pressed in the wrong direction and ended up with lumpy seams. However, I am now seeing the benefit of pressing open seams. For example, I am doing hexagon blocks using this tute from Lee at Freshly Pieced.  I pressed the seams open and the results are great. The block lays so flat with a bit of help from Fresh Press. And maybe the Aurifil thread I just started using helps as well.
Whatever the reason, I'm really liking the results. So I also pressed the seams open on the hst's for my Come Fly With Me quilt I am working on.
About Aurifil- I just started using it with these 2 quilts. I find the thread to be quite strong as I found out when I tried to bite a piece off! :-). I'm told that there is less lint, however I can't say that I have a lot of lint with the Gutermann thread I usually use. But I am really liking the Aurifil and will probably continue to use it.

5 comments:

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

Hello Patti! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Come back by anytime. I love meeting new quilty friends. I clicked follow so you have a new follower. :) I am loving the SBM, and have some new followers that I otherwise would have never known. Looking forward to connecting with everyone. I have been pressing seams open for a while too. Hard sometimes though, b/c I end up steaming my fingers. ouch! Nice to meet you.
xo
Kelli

Cindy Sharp said...

I find that I do it both ways. I think about what will create the neatest junctures and go with that.

Rebecca Lynne said...

I am a diehard seams open sewer. I have found that it is way easier to line up pieces if the seams are right against each other. Good for you for trying both ways!!! Break the rules, that is what they are there for. ;)

Quiltbenaco said...

Ciao dall'Italia

Karen said...

Good to hear your point of view on the open seams. I think it is hard sometimes to change habits and I like read opinions about doing something differently. I am also interested in your use of Aurifil. I have always used gutermann and wondered what others were like. Are you using Aurifil on the top and in the bobbin?

5 comments:

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

Hello Patti! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Come back by anytime. I love meeting new quilty friends. I clicked follow so you have a new follower. :) I am loving the SBM, and have some new followers that I otherwise would have never known. Looking forward to connecting with everyone. I have been pressing seams open for a while too. Hard sometimes though, b/c I end up steaming my fingers. ouch! Nice to meet you.
xo
Kelli

Cindy Sharp said...

I find that I do it both ways. I think about what will create the neatest junctures and go with that.

Rebecca Lynne said...

I am a diehard seams open sewer. I have found that it is way easier to line up pieces if the seams are right against each other. Good for you for trying both ways!!! Break the rules, that is what they are there for. ;)

Quiltbenaco said...

Ciao dall'Italia

Karen said...

Good to hear your point of view on the open seams. I think it is hard sometimes to change habits and I like read opinions about doing something differently. I am also interested in your use of Aurifil. I have always used gutermann and wondered what others were like. Are you using Aurifil on the top and in the bobbin?