Pressing seams for month 1/2

[Margo C.]

Hi, I am a new quilter -- just made my first queen size quilt last year -- so I have questions! I was wondering about pressing the seams open for the triangles. I have never tried paper piecing -- ( will try that on month 3) and didn't feel comfortable tracing around a template, so I just cut out each triangle from a 2 3/4 strip using a paper template glued to ruler. This may not be the fastest ( I am still on month 1...) but it has worked so far and I am wasting very little fabric. My problem is now matching points when I join the pieced strips to the gold strip. My strips follow the template well so the triangles points are mostly in right place. With the seams ironed open I can't see the points -- I guess this why so many pins are used. I think I can manage this for month 1 but I am worried about the tiny triangles for month 2. Does it matter how the seams are ironed for month 2? Thanks

[Margo C.]

Welcome to the forum wsews!

I did my first unit for Month 1 with the striplate method and pressed the seams open. After that, I switched to paper piecing.
In this example, you can see the back of my completed unit. The square surrounds the side done with paper piecing and the circle surrounds the one done with the Striplate method.



I can easily see where the points are to join them to the center strip with either method. If you continue to do the Striplate Method, you will want to continue with open seams, but with paper piecing the seams usually go to one side. If that is an issue for you, watch the video where I show using freezer paper for the foundation. That way you have the option of having the seams pressed open if that's your preference!

learn/classrooms/

You might want to try one of the smaller units using each method to see which one works best for you. Have fun and enjoy the process!

[Margo C.]

Thanks Margo,

After I wrote this I found that this topic had already been discussed much earlier in thread. Sorry for the repeat -- I just started this last week so I have catching up to do. Thanks also for all the videos and pictures. They are VERY helpful. I think I will try the paper piecing next. Since I have never done it, and I don't have a preference for the open seams, is one method preferred over the other? I have freezer paper so maybe that is the way to go... Winnie

[Margo C.]

Personally I prefer seams pressed to one side. My favorite method is the one I showed in the video about using the Add-A-Quarter ruler.
You need to try each method and see what works best for you....or maybe a combination of elements from each???