As I have starched all my fabrics before I cut into them, most of the bleeding and/or shrinking is hopefully done. Before I put the blocks together in a row, I'll press them using a mist of water as my steam part of my iron has died. I can't seem to keep an iron's steam working for more than a year. So instead of buying yet another iron I just keep a water bottle handy. Gives me a nice crisp block with all their seams pressed flat.

I spritz with homemade Best Press instead. Works very nicely especially for smaller pieces.

Steam always

If the pressed seam lies flat on its own, I don't steam it. If it won't lie down flat, a little shot of steam usually makes it behave the way I want it to behave. I let the fabric tell me if needs steam or not.

Interesting concept...I'll have to give it a try. I just saw a tutorial somewhere (maybe Jenny Doan) where they used a dry iron for piecing, stating that steam can distort your fabric, especially when doing triangles or bias.

I don't use steam unless absolutely necessary.
I like to keep a bottle of water nearby to use when pressing seams flat.
Sometimes I only spritz just the seam that I want to lay flat.

I usually like to use steam but I don't press back and forth with the iron. I go up and down with iron so I don't distort the fabrics. I also always wash and dry my fabric before starting on a project.

I use steam but by iron has a control so I can use no steam all the way to full steam. I set it in the middle so not as much but some. I also use the ironing pad that is 1/2" wool felt pad and absolutely would not quilt without one of these notions.

P.S. You can buy the iron pad at $50 on line - way to expensive, or you can get the exact same item for about $20.00. PM me and I'll explain more!

I have always heard that steam can distort pieces so I don't use it.

I got sick of my irons spitting dirty water even after using EXACTLY the type of water they called for. I use a dry iron and will use a spray bottle if I want them to get a bit flatter. I have had this cheap iron for 4 years now. I was lucky to make it a year when using water in one. I have Best Press for really special stuff.