MEMBERS ONLY: To gain full access to the Half Yard Club projects please login or sign up
Carolyn Forster's Tips for Pressing Patchwork | Photo Tutorial
Pressing may not be the most glamorous part of quiltmaking, but it’s one of the most powerful tools in achieving beautifully flat patchwork and polished results.
Every quilter knows the satisfaction of seams that nest neatly and blocks that join with precision, and much of that success comes down to how – and when – you press. Getting it right can be the difference between a quilt that feels smooth and professional, and one that feels bulky or distorted.
In her brand-new book, The Easy Guide to Machine Quiltmaking (publishing 15th September 2025), expert quilter, best-selling author and much-loved teacher Carolyn Forster shares her tried-and-tested advice for mastering this often-overlooked step. Drawing on decades of experience, Carolyn demystifies pressing with practical guidance that helps quilters of all levels build confidence and improve their patchwork with ease. Whether you’re tackling your very first quilt or refining your technique for more ambitious projects, her smart tips and clear explanations will help you press with purpose.
We’re delighted to share Carolyn’s essential pressing advice, taken straight from the pages of her latest book. Don’t forget – you can enjoy 30% off The Easy Guide to Machine Quiltmaking with your exclusive member discount code.
You can also dive deeper into the world of patchwork in our full interview with Carolyn Forster over on the blog section of our website.
1.When you are machine sewing your blocks, it is essential that you press after each sewing stage, ready for the next seam. This will give you a nice, crisp finish. Occasionally you might want to finger-press or use a seam roller, but this should always be the exception rather than the rule. At the end of the day, there is no replacing a hot iron.
2.When pressing seams in one direction: press from the front. Place the work on the ironing board right side up then and use your fingers to position the seam in the correct direction underneath. You then only press once, which saves time and energy!
3.When seams need to be pressed open: flip your work and press from the wrong side, using the point of the iron to open the seam as you press.
4.Take care to position the work and the seam you want to press correctly; you will then find you can press in one stroke.
5. Make sure your iron is set on the cotton / linen setting (three-dots symbol), and always letting it get up to temperature before using it.
6. If you press your work and the seams are not staying in place, or they pop up again instead of laying flat, mostly this is because the iron is not hot enough or it’s not been held on the seam for long enough.
7. If the iron is the right temperature and you use an ironing board or mat, then you will get good results. If you want to use steam do so, but remember to let the work sit momentarily to dry so as not distort or stretch the steamed seams.
8. A key point to remember is that pressing is different to ironing. Ironing is the process we use to flatten out and get rid of creases in the fabric, requiring the iron to be moved around over the fabric. When pressing, it is about putting the iron down without moving it around, and holding the iron in a specific place – i.e. the seam to be pressed into position.
This is content that only logged members can see! Please create an account or login to be able to view project steps, otherwise you'll be limited to non-member content, which is no fun at all!
This is content that only logged members can see! Please create an account or login to be able to view project steps, otherwise you'll be limited to non-member content.
MEMBERS ONLY: To gain full access to the Half Yard Club projects please login or sign up
