Pressing Seams to One Side
(The Secret to Nesting Seams and Perfect Quilt Blocks)
@Fat Quarter Shop
@NationalQuiltersCircle
@Sara’s Quilting Journey
Step-by-Step Instructions:
In quilting, pressing seams to one side (rather than open) is a foundational technique. It creates stronger seams, prevents batting from poking through, and allows you to “nest” your seams for perfectly matched block intersections.
Materials Needed:
- Hot iron (steam optional)
- Ironing board or wool pressing mat
- Pieced quilt blocks
- Tailor’s clapper (optional for ultra-flat seams)
- Starch or pressing alternative (optional)
Tips for Success:
- Always press toward the darker fabric to prevent the seam allowance from shadowing through the lighter fabric.
- Do not push or drag the iron—this distorts the fabric bias. Use an up-and-down motion.
- A wool pressing mat holds heat underneath the block, effectively pressing it from both sides at once!
1. Set the Seam
- Before opening your fabric pieces, place them flat on your ironing board exactly as you sewed them. Press the hot iron down onto the stitching line for a few seconds. This “sets” the seam, melting the thread into the fabric fibers for a smoother finish.
2. Finger Press First
- Open the fabric pieces. Gently use your fingers to coax the seam allowance toward one side (preferably toward the darker fabric). This helps prevent accidental pleats or folds when you introduce the iron.
3. Press from the Right Side
- Apply the iron to the right side (the top/front) of the quilt block. Gently push the nose of the iron against the fold of the seam, pressing straight down. Let the heat do the work.
4. Check the Back
- Flip the block over to ensure the seam allowance is laying completely flat in one direction without any tiny tucks or pleats caught in the stitching line.
5. Trap the Heat (Optional)
- If you are using a tailor’s clapper, place the wooden block directly over the freshly pressed, hot seam. Leave it there while the fabric cools. The wood absorbs the steam and traps the heat, resulting in an incredibly flat, crisp seam.
Top FAQs for Pressing Seams to One Side:
Why press to one side instead of pressing seams open? +
Pressing to one side makes the seam physically stronger, which is important for quilts that will be washed frequently. It also prevents the quilt batting from eventually poking through the stitch line, and allows you to “nest” intersecting seams for perfect points.
What does “nesting” seams mean? +
Nesting is a quilting technique used when joining two blocks together. If the seam on Block A is pressed to the left, and the seam on Block B is pressed to the right, they will slide (or “nest”) perfectly against each other when placed right sides together, creating a perfectly matched intersection.
Why do quilters say to “press toward the dark”? +
If you press a seam allowance toward a light-colored fabric (like white or cream), the darker fabric will cast a shadow or visibly show through the front of the quilt block. Pressing toward the dark fabric hides the seam allowance completely.
