A Pressing Matter

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day and she asked about the seam allowance on my glue-basted hexagons.  She wondered how I deal with the fabric on the corners that stick out because they don't lay flat like their thread-basted counterparts.

Well, it's not really an issue.

I've been pressing each diamond when it's finished.  I started with just a few so I could see what they'd look like appliqued. 

And now I find they are easier to stack when the seam allowance is flattened.

Here's what the seam allowances look like before I press ...

and after I press ...

First, I coax the outside edge allowances toward the middle with my fingers and the tip of the iron. 

Then I flip the hexagon patchwork right-side up and press from the top.  The inner seams simply fold onto themselves without any help from me.

That's all there is to it!

Comments

[Jennifer]

Thanks for the extra feedback and tip! Beautiful diamond blocks, might have to prep up some for keeping 'on the go'. You may have answered this before, but what is your preferred background white fabric for your projects (like you are using in the pictures above)?

[Allison]

And all is revealed... Another question for you though. When you are whipstitching - are you able to get right into the corners? I know you will say 'yes' because if you couldn't - you wouldn't be happy! I just find myself extra paranoid that the corners will 'give' and I always add a few extra stitches in them.

[Kathleen O'Grady]

Such pretty little hexies!

[Bonnie Nyquist]

What a thing of beauty!!!! I ordered some paper hexie pieces!!! I decided a tablecloth is within reach,with your wonderful inspiration!!! There is nothing you cannot do! Your diamond hexies are a true inspiration to me. I love the glue basting too!!! Thanks Kristyne,and yes, what white fabric do you think is best?

[Melodee]

Certainly there is more than one way to skin a cat, I baste my hexies on the underside, catching the corners of the fabric, not sewing through the paper. I leave the basting threads in, I never remove them. I also poke a hole in the middle of the paper hexies (before I baste the fabric on them) after I have sewed the hexies to together, I pull the the papers out, using my Purple Thang or a crochet hook, the basting is still there holding the hexie together. You do not need to depend on pressing to keep them flat. I learned this technique on Jaybird Quilts.

[Bari Jo]

Perfection!

[Carina]

I will have to try this - looks like its so much quicker. I spoke to a lady at the quilt show last month and she said she has never turned back after gluing. Thanks for sharing, best wishes, Carina

[A Little Blue Dragonfly]

Anything to get your clean, crisp seams! You are making want to try hexies now! Happy weekend! :)

[Carol Richard]

That is so gorgeous!