Hi NJ Quilter, thanks for the great advice. I started as (a not so great) garment sewer too. I agree pressing open creates a flatter result - but I do love nesting my seams! I have a couple hundred 4 patches to press so I guess I will do some experimenting. I definitely need to get a new iron (although like anything else, it's only as good as its operator!) and now I remember why I ended up with the cheap one. As I research the expensive ones, I hear they do not last very long. How come the cheap ones last forever? - I think it has something to do with more sophicated equipment has more components to break. I'm torn between the Rowentaa (which I hear leaks),and the Reliable.
i do use starch sporadically on yardage- just the spray can from the grocery store though.
i think I need to embrace the zen of ironing - instead of rushing to get through!