I watched a video recently about paper piecing in which the quilter/instructor recommended finger-nail-pressing of the seams instead of with the iron, for various reasons that she explained. How about you all who have done it - press with fingers or press with an iron? Just curious about the best method - I'm started my IRR block. Thanks for any replies.

I always do my pressing for paper piecing with either my fingernail or a wooden iron, never with a regular iron for a couple of reasons. First, the heat and stream can transfer the ink from inkjet or laser printed pattern pieces to the fabric - definitely not a good deal. Second, it goes much faster if I just finger press as I go rather than having to get the iron all the time. JMHO!

Pressing with a steam iron will also cause the paper to curl. Sometimes I use one of those little tiny irons and just hit it really quickly. Usually I just finger press.

I use a small wooden iron I purchased at a quilt show. Always use that, in fact I have 2, a friend bought me one. And I do a lot of foundation paper pcing. Marge

Good tips.

Remember it needs to be a nice crisp line where the two fabrics meet. If it is not pressed out very well, it skew's the outcome, I often use a real iron on low heat, no steam.

Thank you all for your help. I knew this was the place to get some quick answers. Now if I can just master this paper-piecing thing ...

I have a wood wall paper seam roller that I use allot to press my seams.

I find that it works great.

Calico

I use my fingernail to press the seams, however it has ruined them! :lol:
I'm currently in the process of purchasing a wooden iron to use instead, I've seen the plastic ones but would prefer a wooden one.
When I first did PP some of the ladies in my class used an iron on low heat but as Roben said the heat from the iron could transfer the ink from the printed pattern onto your fabric.
Also the heat could distort your fabric :shock:
Hope this helps.

Tisha

OK, I'm fairly new to the quilting world. This may be a silly question but what is a wooden iron?

It is a small piece of wood about 6 inches long that has been highly polished and smooth which you can use to press your seams when paper piecing and can be purchases at most quilt shops very inexpensively. I have two. Marge

I have a little clover iron that I like or else a wooden iron either one will work hope this helps