Do you all press your seams?

[Penny]

Morning
I have just been inspecting some work that has been made for me and the maker did not press open her seams...
Now I know that a lot of makers don't like to take an iron to their work but I always lighty press my seams open if not with an iron then with the edge of a metal ruler. The fabric in question was a Harlequin fabric Isis which is a velour with satin applique. I think I would have pressed lightly on back with another piece of the cloth underneath so it was kind of nap to nap if you get my drift.
What does anyone else do or is this a really silly question and of course you all press your seams open?

[thecurtainmaker]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

Always press seams. Dont always press hems and side hems.

[Tam]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

Ditto Pens post re seams. I press side and bottoms hems after rolling the interlinings into the folds , then herringbone.

I have seen seams overlocked and pressed to one side on fine fabrics such as silk.

[enid]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

Yes I also press the seams open, either with or without the iron if the fabric dictates. I always think it makes a flatter finish. Press the hems as well.

Enid

[Karen C]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

I always press them open.

[suel]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

Yes, I also press open my seams, but I then press underneath the seam allowance as it can leave a slight line on the right side of the fabric.
Sue.

[thecurtainmaker]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

Sue,
you can slide a piece of thin card under the seam allowance which should stop the edge of the seam showing on the right side.

[diygail]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

Hi all

I have been asked by a curtain shop to make some curtains, and the owner has asked me not to press the seams open, but to overlock them together, and press to one side, on both the lining and the main fabric. I have never seen or heard of this before. Does anyone else do it? Dont you think it will make the seam very bulky? It is a thickish cotton fabric, and cotton sateen lining.

Thanks

[Jules]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

If that's what she's asked for I think that's what you need to do. Different people have different ways to do things and this must be the way she's happy with. Perhaps you can ask her why she chose this way at some point.

[thecurtainmaker]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

Some people like things done their way. As Jules says, if that's what she wants, then that's what she gets.

[diygail]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

I have made up one of these curtains this way, and it does look very neat. My initial concern was that it would be bulky, but it is not.

[HelenM]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

I suspect she' may have had work done before with pressed open seams and if tension too loose or large stitches used light can filter through the seam if they are not interlined. I was asked by a customer once to overlock the seam for this very reason as her previous curtains used to drive her mad.

Always press open seams but never hems in case when cleaned they need to be lengthened and can be difficult to remove ironed crease lines on some fabrics, however lightly ironed.

Helen

[nic]

Re: Do you all press your seams?

Presumably face fabric one way and lining the other, to avoid bulk at the heading.
I always press open, but I might not on a loosly woven fabric.