Here’s my question. I’m new to quilting. I do use the Acorn Easy Press Pen. I’ve been pressing my seams open. Now, when you press to one side it’s not really flat even using the Easy Press Pen. How will that play out when it’s being long armed??
I press open whenever possible with a dry iron. I reduce my stitch length to 1.5, use quality cotton thread for piecing, poly for quilting, and have not experienced any problems with my SID quilting coming undone even in quilts that are being loved to tatters by the grandchildren. That Acorn stuff looks like magic to me! Thanks for the videos, I enjoy them very much.
I'm hoping that you don't have to use your seam ripper too often, Laurie! 1.5 stitch length - yikes! Good for you and this would definitely help with stitching in the ditch. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the video. I started with pressing to the dark side but have swayed over to pressing my seams open especially for smaller blocks. I can certainly see the concern for SITD with open seams. I like the precision application of the product for flatter seams. So, I'm going to try to incorporate you're strategy into my next sampler project and see how it turns out. Thanks. Let me know how the cats respond to the applicator. I have a teenage son I'd like to try it on, too. 😁
Hi Kim, I am writing from Spain and I wish I could buy the Easy Press Solution Starter Kit but unfortunately they don't send to Europe. Do you think that your basting spray would do the same job? Thanks for your answer and for alll your teachings.
The basting spray does stiffen the fabric so good for initial pressing but I'm not sure that it would work as well for pressing seams. Hopefully they'll be broadening their reach so that you can order some - it's really great!
First, this is an older video so I do things a bit differently now. I use different spray bottles for this and other products I use in my studio. I've found one that is for plants and has an adjustable spray nozzle works best like the Zep spray bottles that you can find on Amazon. This isn't the one I currently use but I don't think you'd be able to find the one I use anymore as I've had it for awhile. While I like the cute spray bottle that you see in the video, they definitely have a shelf life and all of the ones I've had no longer spray so I don't recommend those. I currently use the Panasonic Cordless iron (amzn.to/46FR6wR) as well as a regular Black and Decker one that I bought at Walmart - no steam in either.
After seeing your video, I will press to the dark side. Great information!!! I was on the fence about pressing my seam open, but not anymore. Love your videos.
Open. Hand piecer and hand quilter (just my preference - you can't "lounge" infront of a sewing machine). Easier to finger press, the block lays flatter after a proper iron press later, less bulk for quilting, and my blocks finish more accurately. Yup - no stitch-in-the-ditch with that!
Ha... "if only my cat can do that"😂 I am always wondering between dry vs steam when ironing. The comment about the heat vs weight of iron is what's doing the work is a revelation to me. Also "Ironing vs pressing"! Thank you!
As a newbie to quilting I am learning so much. I just switched to pressing to the side and am guilty of moving my iron. Thanks for posting this video and reminding us we will distort all of our precision cutting and piecing when we move our irons! I also just ordered the Acorn starter kit. Thanks again!
I used to press open, but not any more. The seams on the back of one of my quilts where I sewed the fabric for my backing together have come apart. The quilt does get used and washed, but I didn't have that problem on the top. I think it's because the intricate piecing required ironing to the side. Since all other factors were the same I can only conclude that it was the open pressing. It took me many hours using tiny hidden stitches to repair the back.
Are you talking about the Seam Align Glue that they make? I've also used this product for raw edge appliqué and it can work for other uses as well, especially to ensure that you are able to stitch your pieces together accurately.
I press my seams open with a dry iron and use a stitch length of 1.5. I have never had any problems with SID. I do press my seams with a starch product. I pressed my seams to the side for years but switched to open a couple of years ago. I really like the flatness and evenness (as in less bulk) of the open seams. I love your videos. They are very informative. Thanks for making them.
I will definately not press open anymore ! Thank you so much for the tips and I'm going to look around for an iron without holes too ☺ P.S. I love your cats every where.
The Acorn refill is not available and says not sure if ever going to be available?? are they still going to be in business? I don' t want to start using something if I can't get refills. thanks, this was very helpful
As the link is through Amazon, the seller may currently be out of that product. You may need to search for another supplier either online or locally. Rest assured that this product isn't going anywhere and will be available for quite some time, I'm sure.
The links to the Acorn products do not bring up any results. This may be because I'm in the UK? Would be interested to find out if they're available here.
