Getting a quilt top flat

[reg8]

I have finished my first quilt top, made entirely from charm squares + a border cut from yardage. It doesn't quite lay flat even with pressing, so I'm a bit hesitant to baste it like this. Let me explain the construction.

To assemble the quilt top, I chain pieced the rows together. I carefully pressed the seams alternate directions on alternate rows so that my seams would nest when I sewed the rows to each other. This worked great as far as nesting went. However, I don't think that it's possible for me to swirl my seams to reduce bulk at the intersections because the horizontal seams would need to twist to do this. I think that I would have needed to sew together 4 patches to get this to work.

Anyway, the result is that there's some bulk at the seam intersections and this causes there to be ridges at the top of each row. I've pressed it (dry, no steam, no starch) a couple of times but because it's thicker in those areas, it's still raised. I want the quilt top as flat as possible before I baste it. Is there anything I can do to help? I am going to try basting it with Elmer's glue (as I've read on some tutorials) and I was thinking maybe I could glue down the seams before basting anything so at least they'll be flat. Once that's done, I was planning to go slowly and make sure I pull everything nice and flat as I'm basting.

Many thanks for any thoughts and suggestions! I know that I can press seams open and may do so in the future, but I'd been finding that more difficult than pressing to one side. I've also heard you shouldn't press them open if you're stitching in the ditch, which is what I'll likely do with this quilt.

[auntiemern]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

A pic might help.

[reg8]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

234u2-5e3ca6.jpg

Here's a picture showing why I can't swirl the seams. I took this before I pressed down the horizontal seams. I'd really have to press the top again before I can get a pic since it's been folded. If it helps in picturing it, imagine a grid where every horizontal row is a bit raised. If I press it, it gets pretty flat, but it pops back up once I move the top around. Thank you.

[shirleyknot]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

It would lay flatter if you pressed the seams open.

[reg8]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

It's it too late for that, unless I want to take it completely apart? That's not an option; I'd much rather have a slightly 3D quilt than do it over! Thanks.

[oldsewer]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

Are you sure it isn't flat enough already? This is how I do my charm square quilts, and yes, there is some bulk at the seam line. But it doesn't matter at all during the quilting or when it's finished. I think you're good already now. There is no reason to swirl the seams when you're just intersecting the way you are, vertical to horizontal. I think you may be trying to make this more complicated than it is! Remember, you won't feel or see this extra bulk after the batting is added. It's good, just baste and quilt. It will be fine. Sharon

[JCY]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

Whenever I chain piece, I clip the threads between each square. I have never left them connected. The secret to having a quilt top lay down nicely is to plan ahead with the pressing. When I sew my rows together, usually left to right, I press one row of blocks in one direction, the next row in the opposite direction, all the way through. Then when you sew the rows together, the seams nest perfectly. I mark the first block of each row with an arrow on a sticky note (pinned, since it won't stick!) so I'll know which way to press. I think you'll have to leave your top like it is & try a different technique on the next quilt. But like Jenny says, "Finished is better than perfect." It may flatten down some during the quilting process.

[jjkaiser]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

I agree, I think you are too worried about this. It looks fine the way it is, I would just continue sewing squares and or rows together and then quilt it. As long as you aren't quilting through those two extra seam allowances there won't be a problem and from your photo they don't appear to be in the way.

[Midge]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

Perhaps it would lay flatter if you pressed the horizontal row seams open, even though the other vertical seams are pressed to one side. You don't have to take anything apart. Do you have Best Press? Try that when pressing the horizontal seams open.

[reg8]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

I don't mind the extra bulk; I was jut worried that the needle would get tripped up when I'm quilting. That's what I'm afraid of. I don't want "speed bumps."

[reg8]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

I did exactly as you described so I don't quite understand what you're suggesting I do differently. Thank you.

[reg8]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

Thanks, it's done and borders are on! I hadn't thought of pressing the horizontal seams open. It's worth a try! I was planning to stitch in the ditch. Are you saying that might cause issues?

[auntiemern]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

What I would do in order to be able to 'swirl' the seams, is to clip those 2 or 3 threads that are attached, and then you could still swirl them. If you plan on stitching in the ditch you really shouldn't have any open seams. (there would be nothing there for the thread to catch). I really think it would be fine the way it is, and you won't have any 'bumps' big enough to stop or hang up the needle. IMO

[PrettyCurious]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

I only press open if 1) I need to reduce bulk, and 2) that line is not one I will be stitching in to when stitching in the ditch.
My last quilt was a quarter long cabin block sewn on the bias. I pressed the bias seam open since I knew I would be stitching in the ditch on the top and bottom seams, which I pressed in oposite directions prior to sewing just like you did. It's not going to be sheet of paper flat, but it will be sewable when quilting it. I use microtex [extra sharp] needles when quilting, so they punch through the quilt easily.

[just4me]

Re: Getting a quilt top flat

I made a quilt for each of my very young grandchildren and pressed all the seams to one side in an effort to give as much strength to the seams as I could, imagining the pummeling these quilts were going to get over a lifetime. I still stand by that decision and logic however, even though I tried not to quilt over the bulky intersections, I invariably did and it resulted in my throwing the timing out on my machine and having to pay for a costly repair and being without a machine for a month to get it all sorted. Whilst I would do the same thing again re the seams, I would most definately be much more attentive and careful as to where I asked the machine to sew. An expensive lesson learnt, and I'm still apologising to the machine!