A Tip to Speed Up the Block Making Process

As shown in yesterday's post, I have been working on the Granny Square blocks for the Family Reunion sew-along from the Rollin' Along book. For my first block I got up and pressed my seams open for every single seam in those blocks. It took F.O.R.E.V.E.R.

For my second block, I pulled out my old-fashioned little wooden seam presser. I used to it flatten each seam to the side rather than open. I paid attention to the direction my seams went, alternating the direction for each row so that the seams would nest. That little stick did a great job of pressing those seams down.

I used it again to flatten the seams after sewing the block rows together. Honestly, it worked fine. And it was so much better than getting up and going to the ironing station so frequently. The block with opposing seams went together in half the time of the block with the open seams.

After a final press with the iron, to my observation, there was no difference in the flatness of the blocks when comparing open seams to nesting seams. In my book, the time-saving factor of using the little wooden seam press and having the seams nest/oppose wins.

I have had my little seam presser stick for years, and do not recall where I got it. I checked on Fat Quarter Shop and they did not have that exact one, but had some in wood or plastic that would achieve the same results.

Comments

[Linda Kay Smith]

Thank you for sharing this tip and the outcome when comparing pressed open and pressed to the side. I prefer pressing to the side so this confirms my observations.

[Jan]

Pressing to the side going opposite directions is my preference, too. Joining them with fork pins is also a 'trick' I learned from your blog. Seams match up pretty perfectly every time! It looks like you're having a busy week sewing!

[Ina]

pressing seams open is tedious!

[sue s]

I agree with your approach. I have an old wallpaper seam roller that I use for pressing to keep moving on with simple sewing. I do more open seams with triangles and geese pieces. I know Lori Holt sells a sewing version of the roller that works the same.

[PamO]

I press to the side. That makes seams easier to nest. To me it is also faster.
I often wonder if open seams started when someone said to press the pieces open and someone (with a dress making background) pressed the seam open rather than to the side as originally instructed.

[Sue]

I do the same, use a wooden presser at the sewing machine and nest the seams. I really dislike pressing seams open.