I'm doing something wrong with my ironing
 

If/when I use navy or black fabric in a quilt every spot where I iron a seam turns shiny. It is a little better if I press the seams open, but that isn't always what I want.

I don't want to use a pressing cloth, as that would obscure what I am ironing. I don't use starch, so it isn't that, and I have a good iron.

What am I doing wrong?

The shine should fade as the fabric cools. Or, try a cooler iron.

I have seen this happen on some of my dark fabrics too. It never bothered me though. I guess the shine went away because I never noticed it later on.

I've done the same thing myself. I have always thought that I "scorched" the fabric. It just doesn't show up as brown on dark fabrics. I think it goes aways with washing.

My mother in law used to iron her three boys black trousers using newspaper as a pressing cloth.....no shine!

That is a new one for me, newspaper pressing cloth but if you think about it, it is the perfect answer!!

I would think shiny fabric means the iron is too hot and is burning the fabric. Turn it down or cover with a thin piece of fabric when pressing.

Dirty, tho!

What about using moving/packing paper/or Carol Doaks foundation pages - you can purchase from your local quilt shop. The same paper as newsprint, but without ink on it.

I iron from the back because of this sort of thing. Typically I use a hot iron and steam and sometimes get the shiny stuff, which has always gone away after washing from me.

If it is distressing you, try adding a towel to cushion your ironing board first. You can also try a wooden dowel (can typically buy at your local hardware store). I'd try something about half an inch or smaller diameter. Put the dowel down on your ironing board and position the seam over it, then when you press you are only getting the seam.