I IRON EVERYTHING - or as someone mentioned each seam. I have an iron on the deck right next to my machine on a 14" square ironing board I made.
Spray starch will help with the ironing too. SEARCH spray starch and you'll read lots of info...from how to make homemade to why use it in the first place.
I NEVER rip my fabric. Although I've never looked at it under a microscope, 'they' claim it weakens the surrounding threads (a couple of inches wide) when you rip...makes sense to me. Never have in the past - won't in the future.
I was at the fabric store and 'heard' the clerk rip fabric for someone else! YIKES! :shock: One part of me was glad I wasn't buying fabric that day...:) Another part of me wanted to buy fabric, just so she could rip it, and I could say NO to purchasing it. :twisted: Rotten I know - but I didn't act on the thought. ;)