Pressing seams on the back of the quilt.

[Margo]

I am making a flannel quilt and want to know when pressing the back does
it all pressed one way, like all to the left or every other row gets
pressed.

[Margo]

Norina, I usually press any seams in my backing open to distribute the bulk. I also leave my seam allowances about 3/8" instead of just 1/4", or even as much as 1/2" when using flannel. Be sure to trim away all of the selvage edges. They are woven more tightly than the rest of the fabric and will shrink more when the quilt is washed.

Some people use a very narrow zig-zag stitch when seaming backings. The theory is that it is less likely to break the thread if the seam is stressed because there is extra thread available for pulling.

Some people will put the seam in the middle of the quilt, and others say to divide the back into thirds so that there isn't a seam in the middle where a quilt is likely to wear....both from use and from folding.

Hope I've answered your question without confusing the issue with too much information!

[Margo]

OK that I understand, nice. But when doing the top of the back, how is it done. The same way?

Each 7 l/2 inch square has a seam and when the row is completed I am pressing as I go along
with the sewing.

Thanks....Norina

[Margo]

Margo,
I have pressed the squares,strips open. Like you said, it destributes it much better. Also I have just started this quilt
so I want it to be as "perfect" as I can get it.

It's so nice to have someone to help out when we are doing our quilting and not having to wait days for
an answer. Thanks a lot.....Happy Holidays to you....Norina

[Margo]

Oh....I see. Sorry I mis-understood your question. There are several ways to approach pressing the seams on the back.

Since you are using flannel, you will probably want to press your seam allowances for each seam to one side. Try to press alternating rows in opposite directions so that the seams will "nest" together, or "kiss" and make a neat intersection for the next seam. You will find lots of GREAT info about piecing in Alex's TQS classroom here:

learn/classrooms/

There is also a method that I call "twirling" where the seam allowances are all pressed clock-wise or counter-clock-wise, so that each intersections is really flat. It takes some effort to figure out which way to press all the seams to get them all to spin, but it really does distribute the bulk nicely.

Here is a photo of how I twirled the intersections of my 2010 pieced BOM:



Hope that is better info for you!

[Margo]

Margo,
I have pressed the squares,strips open. Like you said, it destributes it much better. Also I have just started this quilt
so I want it to be as "perfect" as I can get it.

It's so nice to have someone to help out when we are doing our quilting and not having to wait days for
an answer. Thanks a lot.....Happy Holidays to you....Norina

Norina, pressing the seams open will also work!! Just try it several ways and see which technique works best for you on this project!

Good luck!

[Margo]

Margo,

I just watch the video and I can see how many way we can press a quilt...I think I will just go along
and see how it all falls into shape.

So much to know, but nice to have information at our fingertips.

Thanks, Norina