To steam or not to steam when ironing?
#1
To steam or not to steam when ironing?
Do you use steam when you iron? I have been using steam for 3 years, but last week my iron pushed out some rusty water or something, as the block I was ironing was stained. I was, of course, on a white part of the block.
So, now I have quit using steam, but I am not so sure I am ironing as "flat" as I did with steam.
So, do you use steam? Is it just my imagination that the seams don't iron as flat?
Dina
So, now I have quit using steam, but I am not so sure I am ironing as "flat" as I did with steam.
So, do you use steam? Is it just my imagination that the seams don't iron as flat?
Dina
#5
I learned somewhere (?) to use dry iron and a spray water bottle. Then it presses down just fine and no chance of rusty water from the iron.
Last edited by grammysharon; 12-27-2012 at 08:58 AM. Reason: spelling
#6
I use steam..
I also (try to) remember to clean my iron, regularly. Just like changing blades, needles and cleaning our machine regularly. Our irons needs some TLC, too.
I remember a saying from way back ~ "Take care of your tools and they will take care of you."
I also (try to) remember to clean my iron, regularly. Just like changing blades, needles and cleaning our machine regularly. Our irons needs some TLC, too.
I remember a saying from way back ~ "Take care of your tools and they will take care of you."
#7
Okay, maybe I need to figure out how to clean my iron. I have never done that. Could be my problem? May have to research, as I know I don't still have the instructions to this iron.
Thanks for your responses. For now, I am not steaming, but I do miss it.
Dina
Thanks for your responses. For now, I am not steaming, but I do miss it.
Dina
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
Was your iron a Rowenta? They are NOTORIOUS for doing this little number on our work.
I use steam because I want the seams pressed flat enough to look like they were woven together rather than sewn together, I'm kinda anal about it! Stopping to pick up a spray bottle *every* time would just drive me nuts. (Did I mention I'm anal/abit crazy?!) I do use a spray bottle, just not when I'm generally pressing a seam.
I feel that the distortion 'caused by steam' is actually caused by the ironer rather than the iron. When fabric is pressed correctly, carefully, on straight grain, not pushing the fabric, there is very little if any distortion with steam.
Jan in VA
I use steam because I want the seams pressed flat enough to look like they were woven together rather than sewn together, I'm kinda anal about it! Stopping to pick up a spray bottle *every* time would just drive me nuts. (Did I mention I'm anal/abit crazy?!) I do use a spray bottle, just not when I'm generally pressing a seam.
I feel that the distortion 'caused by steam' is actually caused by the ironer rather than the iron. When fabric is pressed correctly, carefully, on straight grain, not pushing the fabric, there is very little if any distortion with steam.
Jan in VA
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: western Pa
Posts: 4,569
I use steam but have never put water in my iron--I never figured out how to fill it. I use a small spray bottle from the dollar store and lightly spray the seams. If I'm paperpiecing, I spray my finger and run it over the seam. (I'm really anal about flat seams LOL).
Just read the "other" Jan's post---is anality (?) a Jan thing???
Just read the "other" Jan's post---is anality (?) a Jan thing???
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11-28-2010 09:07 AM