| thepolyparrot |
06-30-2011 09:24 AM |
The steamer was clogged on the first one I bought, second hand, but I loved it anyway. It applies a huge amount of pressure that you just can't get with an iron. Or at least I can't.
When I burned that one out, I bought a new one because it supposedly had a certain size extra large pressing surface. If it had turned out to have that size surface, it would have enabled me to press fat quarters in only two passes, which would have been nice. But, it isn't much bigger than the Singer I got used, the "steamer" is more of a "splutterer," and the heating element doesn't seem to work on the right three or four inches of the plate.
It turned out to be not such a bargain. ;) Next time, I will splurge and buy the extra large Singer brand.
I press all my quilt blocks on this after I've assembled/ironed and trimmed them. The applique ones, I press face down on a towel with a pressing cloth over the back and the pieced ones I press face up with a pressing cloth over the face.
You can use starch all you want, but you'll want to cover the pressing surface and the item you're pressing in order to keep the starch solids off the heating plate and pressing surface. The starch solids burn and can put ugly spots on your fabric.
If your secondhand steam press doesn't steam properly and running white vinegar solution through the steam system doesn't help, just use a spray bottle to dampen your items before you put them on the press and you'll have plenty of steam when you want it. :)
Have fun with it - it really does nice work of preparing fabrics and pressing your blocks. :)
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