Originally Posted by CoriAmD
Originally Posted by JAK
I am a new quilter of only about 3 months. I have read numerous articles, books, Youtube tutorials and most generally they have all said not to use steam when pressing seams/squares as it can stretch fabric. I started a quilting class this week and instructor says to steam. Just wondering what most of you more experienced quilters prefer.
I always use steam, but I am very careful to PRESS, not Iron. It is the moving of the iron across the fabric that stretches it - my opinion
Agree with this one. It's what I do too. I do see a difference in my fabrics using steam, and I like them this way. Also, if there are bad wrinkles, then I use Magic Sizing. I enjoy the body it gives the fabrics, and makes it so much easier to get good cuts. But, again, it's press, not iron :)
Most of the books advised not to 'iron' because people didn't understand not to stretch the fabric. Once it became better known to 'press' not 'iron', then I think more people understood they could press without a problem. Just don't stretch the fabric...and I think many times this is what the books refer too (and it keeps their projects easy to do/correct if you haven't stretched your fabric out of shape).