pressing half square triangles

I have a problem when I am pressing half-square triangles for quilt blocks.  Seems like no matter how careful I am, they always stretch when I press them flat.  Any suggestions?

All I know is that when I took my quilting class she stressed not to iron but to press. Make sure you are just placing the iron on the fabric and not pulling.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         My suggestion would be to set press your 1/2 sq. triangle and then press it to the dark side.  Don't slide the iron.  That may be what is stretching your fabric.

Jenomiequilter

An old post but always a good question, hopefully someone looking will find it helpful.

Use starch, it's a quilters best friend!

Lay the 1/2 square triangle on your ironing board, Right Side Facing up , with the seam allowance in the direction you want it to go in underneath.

Sewers always press to the dark, quilters press in what ever direction the pattern dictates or to reduce bulk when putting finished blocks together, follow what ever your instructions say even if it does not make sense at the time, it will help your blocks fit together in the end.  Sometimes a pattern will say "Press for opposing seams"  this means the sides you press towards will alternate so the seam allowances nest together when sewing the next block on.

Lightly spray block with starch

Finger press along the seam to flatten and remove any pleating but DO NOT stretch and pull

Pick up your iron and set it down on the seam,  pressing the seam flat...

Some notes: 
Always remember, NO STEAM, it stretches the fabric and distorts your block
I work from the front on HST's (quilter speak for half square triangle) becuase when pressing from the back I get the "pleat" problem and my block turns out too small.
Sometimes I will take the side of my iron and butt it up next to the seam sort of pushing, to make sure my block  is open all the way and I don't get the "pleat"
You need to focus on the seam and not so much the sides of the block, this is where the most distortion occurs when pressing, especially when using a bias cut triangle, lots of strech on those!  I have used the tip of my iron and just ran it along the seam before
I generally plan on trimming  HST's and I have been quilting for over 10 years, some patterns are even written with this in mind so your block is too big to begin with!

I like to finger press small pieces of fabric first. You can do this just like you would fold a piece of paper. Fold the fabric square in half and "press" the crease with your nail or flat part of your forefinger just as you would with a piece of paper. I often finger press small items right at my machine - it works great on cotton and is particularly helpful with doll clothes sewing and small item sewing which I do a lot of.

****************

Please include me in FFF. Thank you (:

I have found that if I press the piece before I trim the seam allowance I have less trouble (I am also a fan of spray starch).
Sewing 1/2 inch away from the seam allowance (towards the corner) before cutting off the excess is a great way to make extra smaller 1/2 square triangles.
I would like to enter FFF, too
Rita E in AZ

I don't use starch as much. I like Magic Sizing though. A fine mist, then just a light press.

I have the same problem...thanks for all tips!  I have not use spray starch before.  Does it get the iron and board gummy?  Thanks

Thanks for posting this, I have the same problem with my triangles.  Looks like we've got some wonderful ideas.