Tip #1: In your basic quilt pattern, the instructions tell you to press the seams to the darker fabric or to which ever side produces less bulk. If you are looking or a quick and easy way to remove the bulk of the seam allowances, try 'popping'.

Take a four patch unit wrong side up, position your thumbs on the darker portion of the seam allowance, one on either side of the center seam. Gently push the seam allowance toward the lighter squares of the unit. This will cause the two or three stitches at the intersection to release or 'pop' and swirl around the center intersection.

The swirling of the seams will reduce the bulk and the center will lie flat. This same method of popping the seam will work on other blocks, such as nie patches and pinwheels. You may not always use this method but you cant ry it and determine for yourself if the seam allowance bulk will be reduced. There will be a line of stitching crossing this popped intersection so you do not need to worry about your block coming apart.

After the seams are popped, finger press the seams as directed, then carefull press both the right and wrong sides.



Tip #2: The equipment you use can affect the quality of your pressing. A heavy weight iron makes a better pressing tool. The age of the iron can also affect its ability to get hot enough for pressing. Consider replacing your iron if you find yourself pushing down too hard on the iron to achieve a crisp, flat seam.

Using steam or not using steam is a question often debated among quilters. Steam tends to stretch the quilt blocks if you are not careful. Some quilters prefer steam because it makes a better crease in the fabric. If you steam too much you will have to press longer to dry the fabric, which may cause the fabric to shrink or discolor.

Tip #3: Seam Positioning. Position the unit or row with the most seams face up. When sewing two or more units or rows together, it is good practice to place the unit with the most seams on top, wrong side up. This allows you to clearly see what is happening and to controlthe seam allowances as they slip under the presser foot of your machine.
When you need to stitch across points that meet in an "X", special care is needed. Int his case, no matter how many seams you might have, you want the unit with the points or "X" face up.

Tip #4: At first glance, you might think all triangles are alike! Half square triangles each have a 90-degree right angle where the two short sides meet. These triangles also have one long side opposite the right angle called the hypotenuse. The difference between the two types of trianglesis in the grain lines. A half square triangle is cut but cutting a square in half ONCE diagonally.
Grain is the direction in which the fabric is woven. The threads of the fabric run lengthwise and crosswise. Both these grains lines are called straight grain and are very stable. Bias is the diagonal grain at a 45-degree angle to the straight grain, and is very stretchy.
A quarter square triangle is achieved by taknig a square and cutting it TWICE diagonally. The straight grain on the long side of the triangle provides more stability on the outer edge of a unit or block.