to press or not to press; that is the question!
#41
My mom taught me to sew when I was very young and I remember her saying that you can sew without a sewing machine, but not without an iron. She was a real dressmaker and always pressed every seam as she went along from step to step. She said that was what made something look "handcrafted" not "homemade." I learned on little doll clothes. That is so embedded in my mind that when I quilt I rarely sew a seam without pressing it. I only press the pre-fabric if I have washed it, or if it is creased or wrinkled. But as they say, everyone has their own preferences.
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
What you do is up to you. I use starch only when I'm going to be cutting out shapes that have a log of bias in them. It prevents them from raveling and stretching while handling. Otherwise, I don't bother. I often iron my seams, but not always. Some people starch everything and press after every step no matter what. Good for them. They will likely have better quilts. For me though, it takes some of the enjoyment of the process from me to be so precise. I am not entering any of my quilts into any show. I love them. Family loves them. That's good enough for me.
#44
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
"Having said that, I have read on the QB about people who have taken a class from Kaye England. If I understood those posts correctly, she does not press until the top is finished. I remember one post especially about a student who tried this out for himself and said he got better results with it. I haven't had the courage to try it myself."
I'm sorry but this just does not make sense to me. I'd love someone to explain the rationale behind it. Pressing, if done right -- not ironing but pressing -- can only help, it seems to me. What am I missing here?
I'm sorry but this just does not make sense to me. I'd love someone to explain the rationale behind it. Pressing, if done right -- not ironing but pressing -- can only help, it seems to me. What am I missing here?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...ne-t72615.html
(Warning: the above thread is 13 pages long!)
Last edited by Prism99; 01-12-2013 at 07:33 PM.
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,135
I have to agree..pressing is apart of the process..I will finger press small seams but for the most part I use my iron..as for washing I generally don't before I piece, I will wash after the quilt is completed..just a preference..
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08-19-2014 04:54 AM