Replies

1. 
   cafms | Feb 22, 2009 07:53am | #1

   Do you press the seam first flat as it was sewn to set the stitching?  Then open the seam and press it open using a seam roll. Finally press it the way that you want it to remain.  For the pillow it would be enclosed in the inside and on a facing both seam allowances toward the facing and then understitched.  I've found that careful pressing really helps to make a nice crisp edge.  When doing a french seam it really helps to get the fabric to turn on the seam line to do the next line of stitching.  I always tell my students they should spend as much time at the ironing board as at the sewing machine.

1. 
   Sancin | Feb 22, 2009 09:35am | #2

   Thanks for the quick response. You know when I was doing the pinning I was thinking I should have done a first press to set the seam, but I hadn't. I do this on regular seams. Thinking it was a small job, I guess I just forgot. This was a small pillow for my back. I hadn't thought about pressing it open, but now that I think about it, it makes sense. I usually do spend as much time at the ironing board as sewing. In fact I replace my iron almost every year, just to make sure it really holds it's heat and doesn't sputt when on steam. As I get older I am constantly amazed at what things I remember, and what things I don't! Thanks again.

1. 
   cafms | Feb 23, 2009 07:32am | #3

   Pressed seams or not I hope it helps your back anyway.

2. 
   jjgg | Feb 24, 2009 07:52pm | #4

   Like Camfs said, you have to press the seam open before turning.