Can you press too much?
 

I've jut finished putting all the blocks together for my quilt and am ready to start joining them together. I pressed and sprayed with Best Press when I washed my fabric, I then pressed each block again after construction. Now, after all the handling to determin position and so forth I find myself wnting to give them a final press and starch after their final "square up" and joining together in their rows. Can you press and starch too much? And also, is it okay to use a litle bit of steam in the iron....I get a better heat and crisp with steam but have heard you shouldn't use it on your blocks/piecing?

I don't think you can. I starch and press the seams then starch the final square up once the top is together. The only way I think you can go wrong is if you iron out of shape. But the starch helps prevent that.

Steam is one of those things some swear by and others swear at. It's a personal choice thing.

Personally, I use steam and starch up to the point of final squaring up the block. I would be afraid of distortion to use either one after that point until all the blocks were sewn together.

I am a steamer. It just works better for me than a dry iron. I also starch - but only if I am doing a block with small pieces or thin strips - like Log Cabins. Everyone has their own preference!

I had to give up on steam, as it seemed to make my blocks ripple in places (and then there was the leaking and sputtering issue). I do miss the steam on the back of the quilt, though, as it really helped the pressed seams to lie flat. I sometimes get this same type of rippling problem when I use the Best Press on a completed block, so I tend to omit the Best Press when I press after my blocks have been constructed.

I try to starch and press each seam in order to "preserve" the shape that I have sewn. If one is pressing to try to "manipulate" the fabric to get a block into being square or to be a bit larger, etc, remember that it will always return to the original shape when washed. It is really good to measure and square up as you go. Waiting until a 12" block is completed is usually too late to guarantee that it is squared.

I made the mistake of ironing/pressing overly enthusiastically blocks
that were still sopping wet with sizing (the kind I bought in the spray can) - stretched them totally out of shape!

I think there is a proper way to use starch/sizing, but that was not it!

Amazing what I have learned after doing something wrong! :o

I steam press a lot and I do not use spray starch. I have not had any issues with all the quilts I have made. If there is any shrinkage from the steam, I guess everything is shrinking the same amount.

I watched an old Love of Quilting show recently that made me smile. Maryann Fons was asked if she used steam and she replied that she does until the iron runs out of water -- and then she doesn't!

Yes you can press too much. Over pressing can even distort your blocks, especially when there is bias involved. I have been taught a technique where you press your quilt top only after it is all sewn together for perfectly seated blocks. It works amazingly for perfect block joins. Also it is important to press down with the iron for a few seconds and not slide it around. I always use steam, but not starch - this is simply my preference. When I teach I always talk a bit about pressing. I often tell students to "press less". :rolleyes:

Thanks everyone.

I don't think you can. I press when I think it's needed, and I prefer starch and steam, and I don't pre-wash my fabrics either. I think it all comes down again to do what works for you. I learn something different each time I sew or make anything. I just try to make sure I'm having fun cuz if it ain't fun, I ain't doin it!

I suppose you can, but doesn't sound like you are. I usually don't steam that last time when I'm pressing the seams. I actually invested in one of those Clover mini irons. I'm needing to get a new faceplate because I didn't use a press cloth with it & it got all gunky, but honestly, I love the mini iron. No steam & easy to control to keep me from getting burn blisters on my fingertips from pressing my steams to the side. Every once in a while if I have an especially stubborn wrinkle, I will spritz with a little water, but mostly at that stage I try to steer clear of steam.

I ONLY use steam if a seam is not laying flat. I usually starch just before squaring up. There really is any right or wrong way, it is what works BEST for you.

If so, I'm in huge trouble . . .i press the dickens out of mine, right up to the point my blocks are squared and ready to sew into rows. And then, it's oressed again. I have a pressure steam iron, so the steam is "dry" and invisible . . .but I like my seams very flat and it makes a huge difference.

You can never press too much in my opinion. Pressing and I do mean pressing not ironing keeps your blocks neat and nice, easy to work with and put together. I also use steam in pressing, I don't use a lot of starch since my blocks are neatly pressed and don't need repeated starching to make them stiff. I press each seam as I create my blocks and then every time a piece is added as in sashing or other blocks everything is pressed, even a finale press before quilting.

Too much pressing, no. Too much ironing, yes.

I press/iron the fabric immediately upon removal of the dryer. I then lightly fold it and let it hang to rest or just lay it on the bed til the fabric cools down. heat expands and cool contracts. Not so many creases that way to iron out later. When I'm done ironing, I have a silicone iron rest that helps to keep my iron clean. I also have a terrycloth towel/pressing cloth to make sure there are no surprises. After my iron has completely cooled down, I use a Magic eraser and wipe the bottom of the iron. Not abrasive and wipes the iron clean of any mineral deposits but I still use the terry cloth pressing cloth before starting any ironing.

I think it depends on how you want to do it. I personally would steam press it one more time, but I am using spray basting, so I want my to and back to both be very smooth and ready for quilting

I use steam all the time, but only by using the "button" on the iron, so just give it a shot when and where I need it. I'm not moving the iron, so not distorting anything. I almost never set the iron on continuous steam. Also, I will use Best Press, sizing (my personal favorite) or starch freely.

I find that you can over-press. Often I use the fingernail or an angled wooden stick to press the block pieced during assembly. I press with the iron once the block is complete and I have great success with that method.

Instead of steam, I use a bottle of water in a spray bottle which sits close by to give the block, fabric, etc. a light misting before pressing. I like this better than dry iron or steam iron.

Thanks everyone. I ended up giving my blocks one last press before laying out and assembly but made sure it was just a press and no ironing! Thanks for all the advice...most appreciated and absorbed!!!!

Using starch, how much or how little is personal preference. However, I find I have better results when piecing to use steam in my iron, probably because my starch is "in a safe place"; but Eleanor Burns admits to using steam, so if it's good enough for her, then...

It never ceases to amaze me, how often there are as many answers as there are responses in a thread. Clearly there isn't a "right" answer, just preferences for what works right for you.

I must say that this forum has me quite taken back by how helpful posters are......so many responses to queries and so many different opinions and ideas......this Quilting Board holds a wealth of information and people keen to help and encourage. It is a delight to feel part of it. And whilst I am nattering on here I might also add that it is lovely to read posters being so polite and not jumping onto other peoples threads and diverting topics.:)