In case you’ve ever questioned how you can press quilt squares, we’ve obtained the solutions! What goes in behind the quilt high — these mazes of ¼” seams intersecting at loopy angles — looks like such a small factor, and unlikely to curiosity anybody (until you’re a quilter, through which case, generally the again of the quilt is sort of extra fascinating than the entrance)!
Some quilters are devoted to urgent their seams open. Others, like me, discovered to “nest” seams, which suggests urgent the seams to at least one aspect in order that they abut when layered proper sides collectively, virtually locking in place. This improves accuracy, and you may typically get away with utilizing fewer pins.
The massive disadvantage to nesting is that you simply get a whole lot of cloth coming collectively in a single spot. With pinwheels, for instance, you may have 8 layers of material coming collectively on the intersection, making a dense knot of material. (I can hear the ‘ka-thunk’ of my machine making an attempt to recover from that lump now…)
These lumps can throw off your seam allowance, uninteresting and even break your needle (on longarm quilting machines, too!), and customarily trigger chaos. The flatter your patchwork, the extra correct your stitching may be. Popping your seams, additionally referred to as “spinning your seams,” is a solution to obtain flatter patchwork. And it’s enjoyable to do. (In case you’re a quilting nerd, like me.)
Popping & Urgent: Primary 4-Patch
The essential 4-Patch is a straightforward seam to pop, or spin. First, it’s a must to sew and press your 4-patch! Sew your pairs—gentle and darkish. Press towards the darkish. Nest the seams by inserting the models right-sides collectively and abutting the seams.
Sew these collectively and—right here’s the enjoyable half—twist the seam in order that the threads on the intersection “pop.” (It’s nice, I promise!) Press from the again, after which the entrance. Within the video beneath, you’ll discover that this time, I pressed towards the sunshine. That’s OK, too! Press the seams the place they wish to go.
You’ll have good, flat seams. Be sure to take time to marvel on the miniature 4-Patch it makes on the again of the 4-Patch unit. So cute!
Urgent & Popping: Pinwheel Models
Stitching over a Pinwheel middle seam is in training on why you must pop your seams. When creating the Triangle Squares, press towards the darkish (I’m utilizing the Sew Simple Lesson: Fast-Pieced Triangle Squares). Trim off your canine ears to get all the additional cloth out of the best way.
Sew the pairs collectively, after which press that seam towards the darkish as properly. Then place them proper sides collectively, and nest the seam. Subsequent, sew the models collectively, after which twist that middle seam in order that the threads pop on the intersection.
From the again, press all of the seams towards the darkish, after which press once more from the entrance. Lastly, take a second to admire the miniature pinwheel on the again of your Pinwheel unit. As a result of it’s lovable.
Urgent & Popping: Hourglass Models
These models have been made utilizing our Sew Simple Lesson: 3-Coloration Hourglass Models, however even if you happen to’re stitching collectively particular person triangles, the popping and urgent technique is identical.
First, press your Triangle Squares (or your quarter triangle pairs) to the darkish, and nest the seams. Subsequent, sew the seam. Due to the tactic I’m utilizing, within the video, I sew a second seam and minimize my models aside.
Now it’s enjoyable time — twist the seam in order that threads on the intersection pop! Press from the again, after which press from the entrance. Lastly, take a second to revel within the little child hourglass on the again of your Hourglass unit. Isn’t it so candy?