Proper pressing technique is one of the most underrated skills in patchwork, directly affecting how accurately pieces align and how flat a finished block or quilt top lies. This guide covers exactly how to press patchwork seams correctly, including when and why to press in specific directions, drawing on the piecing fundamentals from our guide on why patchwork pieces don’t line up.
Why Pressing Technique Matters So Much
Pressing affects both the accuracy of your pieced work and its final appearance. Poor pressing technique can stretch and distort fabric, throwing off measurements, while proper pressing helps seams lie flat and pieces align accurately with their neighbors, a distinction also emphasized in general technique guidance from the Modern Quilt Guild.
Pressing vs. Ironing: The Key Difference
Ironing involves a back-and-forth sliding motion, which can stretch and distort fabric, particularly along seams and bias edges.
Pressing involves lifting the iron and placing it down in a new position (an up-and-down motion), which sets seams without the stretching risk that sliding creates.
For patchwork specifically, pressing rather than ironing is the standard recommended technique.
Step 1: Set the Seam First
Before pressing a seam open or to one side, first press it flat exactly as it was sewn (still closed), which helps meld the stitches into the fabric and reduces puckering in subsequent steps.
Step 2: Decide on Your Pressing Direction
Pressing to one side: The traditional patchwork approach, where seam allowances are pressed together toward one side (often toward the darker fabric to avoid show-through), which can help seams nest together at intersections when blocks are joined.
Pressing open: An alternative approach, where the seam allowance is pressed open, flat in both directions, which can reduce bulk at intersections but doesn’t offer the same nesting benefit as pressing to one side.
Step 3: Follow Your Pattern’s Specific Pressing Instructions
Many patterns specify a particular pressing direction for specific seams, often designed intentionally to help seams nest together neatly when blocks or rows are joined later. Following these specific instructions, rather than defaulting to your own habitual approach, often produces better alignment results.
Step 4: Use an Appropriate Heat Setting
Match your iron’s heat setting to your fabric type—cotton generally tolerates higher heat well, while synthetic blends may require a lower setting to avoid damage.
Step 5: Press From the Right Side When Possible
Pressing from the fabric’s right side (rather than only from the back) can help you see and address any small puckers or issues more clearly as they occur.
Step 6: Avoid Excessive Steam on Bias Edges
Bias-cut edges (cut at an angle to the fabric’s grain) are more prone to stretching, and excessive steam can exacerbate this. Use steam more cautiously on these specific edges.
Common Pressing Mistakes and Fixes
Puckered seams: Often caused by not setting the seam first before pressing it open or to one side. Always press the seam flat as sewn before changing direction.
Stretched or distorted pieces: Usually caused by ironing (sliding) rather than pressing (lifting and placing). Switch to a proper pressing motion, especially on bias edges.
Bulky seam intersections: Can result from consistently pressing all seams the same direction rather than alternating as needed to help them nest together.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a sliding ironing motion instead of a proper pressing motion, risking stretched or distorted pieces.
- Skipping the “set the seam” step before pressing a seam open or to one side.
- Ignoring a pattern’s specific pressing direction instructions in favor of your own default habit.
- Using excessive heat or steam on delicate or bias-cut fabric edges.
Tips for Better Results
- Always set the seam flat first before pressing it in its final direction, since this small extra step reduces puckering significantly.
- Follow pattern-specific pressing instructions when provided, since they’re often designed to help seams nest together at specific intersections.
- Use a proper pressing motion (lift and place) rather than sliding the iron, particularly important on bias-cut edges.
- Press each seam as you go rather than waiting until an entire block is assembled, since this keeps pieces flat and accurate throughout construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always press seams to one side, or is pressing open ever better? Both approaches have their place—pressing to one side is traditional and helps with nesting seams at intersections, while pressing open can reduce bulk in certain situations, like when many seams converge at a single point.
Why do my seams look wavy or puckered after pressing? This is often caused by skipping the initial “set the seam” step, where the seam is pressed flat as sewn before being pressed open or to one side, which helps the stitches settle into the fabric smoothly.
Does the direction I press seams actually matter for the finished quilt’s appearance? Yes, particularly at seam intersections—consistent, thoughtful pressing direction (often alternating between rows) helps seams nest together neatly rather than creating bulk or misalignment.
Can I use a travel iron for pressing patchwork, or do I need a full-sized iron? A full-sized iron with a reasonably large, flat soleplate is generally more practical for patchwork pressing, offering better heat distribution and surface area compared to a smaller travel iron.
Is a pressing mat different from an ironing board, and do I need one specifically? Pressing mats (sometimes called wool mats or pressing pads) offer additional cushioning and heat retention compared to a standard ironing board, which some quilters find helpful for precise seam pressing, though a standard ironing board works perfectly well too.