Pressing Techniques: Basic Rules

Give these basic pressing rules a quick read. There might be something here you haven’t tried yet.

Do not ignore any pressing directions given in patterns
Test on a scrap to compare pressed and unpressed portion
Check if any reaction to heat and moisture…water marks, puckering, or dulling?
When possible try to press with grain and be careful not to stretch edges, bias or curves by pulling
Press seams on the wrong side first and then again lightly on the right side.
Best to press seams toward darker colors when possible for quilt blocks and toward the back on garments
Use the tip of your iron moving the same direction as stitched
Never press over pins, markings or basting threads
To prevent ridges on right side…press on padded surface, over a seam roll or use brown paper strips under the seam allowance
Press long seams going across your ironing board to prevent distorting grain line
Always press seams before they are sewn with another seam for accurate fit
Intersecting seams are usually pressed in opposite directions to distribute bulk
Do a final “touch-up” press on completion, but not as a remedy for haphazard pressing during construction
Do not press after completing quilting top as pressing will flatten the batting
Keep sole plate clean and free of debris
Know your fabric fiber and do not over-press

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