How to Press Quilt Strips

Pressing the seams is an important step in quilting and not one that should be skipped. This is especially important for quilt strips, since there are so many seams to deal with. Take the time to press the seams. The whole quilting process will be easier and it improves the overall product.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Heat an iron for the type of fabric that you are using and prepare a flat area of the ironing board to work on.

2. Flip the quilt strip that you have already stitched together to that it is wrong side up with the seams showing. Snip any loose or hanging threads from the cloth or the seams.

3. Use your fingers to carefully open the two sides of the seam and flatten each side so that the right side of the fabric of the seam is face up. You will be pressing the seam open rather than to one side or the other.

4. Slide the tip of the iron over the middle of the seam and release the fabric. The iron should hold the fabric in place and will help you avoid burning your fingers.

5. Firmly press the seams so that they are stiffly against the rest of the strip.

6. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 for each of the seams in the strip.

7. Turn the quilt strip over and iron out any wrinkles in the fabric. Repeat Steps 1 through 7 for all the quilt strips.