Blecch!

My almost 20 y/o steam iron started periodically blowing rust chunks!

Using starch and no steam because I'm too cheap to buy a new iron right now.

I love Mary Ellens also...my question is about dry irons. Vermont country store doesnt have the great heavy dry iron available. I hate the steam holes on sole plate! I bought an OLD iron with the fabric covered cord at an antique store. Someone told me that it will blow something in my elec. system because its the wrong wattage for today. Anyone familiar!!

I don't wash my fabrics before I cut them up but I do starch them, large pieces too by dipping them into a dish pan full of starch, let them drip over the dish pan while hanging above on a skirt hanger. When they're good and dry then I take them to the ironing board, mist them with water and iron away. Most times I use steam.....then and while I'm making my blocks. Just seems to make a crisper block to me.

I iron my fabric with the grain lines on the back after washing it before cutting it.

It is easier to spot a printing flaw or a slub or - very rarely - a hole - from the back.

I avoid ironing on the bias - I feel that distorts the fabric.

I usually start at the center and work out to the selvages. If the selvages have shrunk/puckered - I clip them so the piece lays flat. Sometimes those selvages shrink up a lot.

I have a "Big Board" ironing board topper - makes ironing the full width of the fabric much easier.

Use steam to iron your fabric. DON'T use steam when you are pressing your stitching on blocks. there is a difference & I believe that is what she was telling you.