I went to a quilt show, a couple weeks ago. And some of the ladies, I was talking too, put a question in my head. And I'm passing the question on to my friends..They ask me as to what I do, when sewing the the peices together, and then sewing each of the sections together to make the block. They suggested use steam from a iron, instead of a warm(hot) iron. I, myself use warm(hot) iron.. Any suggestions, and what does everybody here do.. Thank you everyone, and happy quilting. Don-isewman

I use steam. Fons & Porter said they use steam, at least until the water runs out and then they use a dry iron.

I use a dry iron and a mister with distilled water. I just like my old irons and use them instead of the steam irons. Maybe someday I will post a pic of my iron collection.

I use steam. That's how I was taught.

Mostly I use steam, but if the edges are on the bias I use it dry.

I use a dry iron. If I need some moisture I spritz it with a spray bottle.

I use a dry iron. If I need some moisture I spritz it with a spray bottle.

I use steam.

I use steam and I always have a spray bottle of water near the ironing board for those though things that just need a little more water to press well.

I just have an old iron, LOL, it doesnt steam!

A dry iron works fine for me.

I use steam because I was taught to. Sometimes at a class they only have dry irons. I think using steam makes the pressed seam stay better.

Dry iron here too. Sometimes mary ellens best press.

More important then steam or no steam is the ironing surface. If your surface is soft, the block will sink in and distort with a hot iron or steam setting in the distortion. A very firm non giving surface will make a big difference. I use a board for pressing all my blocks and piecing. A thick piece of plywood covered with one layer of thin cotton batting with cotton canvas stretched around it and then stapled. I need all the help I can get and small things make a big difference.

I use steam and a piece of 100% cotton underneath. Your seams lay just beautiful.

Dry Iron so I get no stretch. Mary Elle's best press too. Love that stuff. Gives it a great finish.

I was taught to use steam and I do......until the iron runs dry :)

I use steam, this is what I was taught!!

I use steam too - funny we do what we were taught!

Most of the time I use steam, but there are other times when I use a dry iron and loads of starch.

Steam for me - and starch! Love starch :)

I also use steam but just press, don't iron. that simply means don't slide your iron over the block to much because you can stretch the fabric out of shape. press seams flat with or without steam.,your choice.

Me too .

Ditter

I agree! It's really easy to distort pieces and blocks if you aren't careful! I've also started to use Best Press and I really like the results.

I use steam to iron only whole pieces of fabric. Once it is cut into quilting pieces, I only use dry (hot) iron, to avoid any distortion caused by hot steam hitting any bias areas.

dry with starch

I use steam and if necessary, Mary Ellen's Best Press.

BellaBoo, thank-you for reminding me about the hard surface. I have read this before. (Maybe in one of your posts). I keep intending to create a hard ironing surface for seams but it slips my mind. I will put it in my notepad.

I am hesitant to press with steam if the fabric has not been pre-washed. The sizing could distort the pieces. Also, if there if a difference in quality (thread count) of the individual pieces. Dry iron is safer. I attended a class with Sally Collins last weekend and she presses with dry iron and then puts a heavy book on the piece until it cools. This really works in keeping the seams flat. I often steam press as the final press when the top is together, especially from the back to halep keep all the seams flatter. I believe many believe dry is safer. I will iron the fabric with steam before cutting. This should help with additional shrinkage of the fabric.

I use spray starch and steam. It works really well in Colorado's dry-ish climate.

I use a dry iron and old fashioned wet starch. I mix my starch about 50/50. If I am dealing with any fullness in the block that seems to take care of it.

The starch is Sta-Flo that you can find in most laundry sections.

I have and still use both steam and hot dry. Use a nice spray bottle when there are tough wrinkles in material. But you do need a nice firm flat surface to iron on or it does sink and won't come out like you want.

Me too. I always start with steam. Seldom run out of steam!

I use steam and a very hot iron - gotta tame those fabrics! Also use Mary Ellen's Best Press...better than sliced bread! No flakes, no residue on your iron, just crispy edges!

Most of the time I use steam and/or Mary Ellen's Best Press. It makes the seams lay nice and flat, you just have to be careful not to stretch the material when you press the seams.

I use steam. It makes the seams more crisp, and it sets the stitches.

Well i used to mist with a spray bottle but the guys ruined my iron and now I have a new one with steam!

me too; don't like steam at all. Sprinkle with an old coke bottle, if needed.

If I have a large area to press, like a quilt top, I use the spray bottle that I use on the cats to keep them off the table, etc. The spray works much better on the fabric!

Same experience; had and loved cats all my life - laws unto themselves! and woebegone to us who try to change them.