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-   -   Steam or no steam? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/steam-no-steam-t286649.html)

ginnie6 03-08-2017 05:22 AM

Steam or no steam?
 
I have never used steam until recently. Joined a new church that has a quilting group and they use steam. I have to say I like it. So what's your preference?

popover 03-08-2017 05:28 AM

No steam. It tends to stretch a bias edge. I mist a little water if I have a wrinkle.

osewme 03-08-2017 07:07 AM

I love using steam & keep my iron on steam all the time. Don't ask me why, I just like it.

thrums 03-08-2017 07:35 AM


Originally Posted by popover (Post 7779991)
No steam. It tends to stretch a bias edge. I mist a little water if I have a wrinkle.

I do the same. Steam can also cause shrinkage.

joe'smom 03-08-2017 07:39 AM

I gave up on steam when I got fed up with dribbles and sputters. I now use a dry iron and Best Press. I also tended to get warping and rippled fabric with steam.

Jordan 03-08-2017 07:44 AM

I use steam and keep my iron on steam all the time. If you just use up and down motion, I don't feel it stretches the fabric. Just remember not to iron like you iron clothes. I think it is personal preference really.

cashs_mom 03-08-2017 09:56 AM

I agree with Jordan. It is a personal preference. Since I learned to sew thru a garment construction background, I always used steam, especially when I was using a steam generator. Now it depends on what I'm doing. Using an up and down motion with steam can get the seams really flat.

bearisgray 03-08-2017 12:13 PM


Originally Posted by thrums (Post 7780105)
I do the same. Steam can also cause shrinkage.

I washed my fabric before cutting it, so no worry about shrinkage.

I like steam better - I can use a higher heat and not scorch things.

I don't have a problem with stretching bias edges. I press "with the grain" so the bias is not stretched.

NJ Quilter 03-08-2017 01:30 PM

I'm another steamer. Also from a garment construction background. Also a prewasher so I don't think shrinkage is an issue either. I am careful when dealing with bias edges - which I tend to try not to have. But when dealing with bias edges I starch the daylights out of the fabric and that seems to help with the stretching issue.

catsden 03-08-2017 03:20 PM

I'm a steamer also, but also have another iron that is just a dry iron that I will use also.


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