I made one of these for next to nothing out of a left-over piece of half round and some batting and a piece of left over fabric.

Get yourself a set of strip sticks.....useful for pressing finished quilt, etc. Not expensive and wonderful! You will not be sorry. htttp://thestripstick.com/buy_products These were designed by a Ann Babb who belongs to our guild. I don't even know her so I am not connected in any way. I borrowed a set the first time I used them and had to have a set later.

Recently, I had seen advertised covers for your fingers for just that reason. Wasn't interested at the time so didn't pay much attention. I'll try to find it again and will let you know if I do.

This is how I was taught to do it too.

I use the strip stick also. It works well

One last suggestion. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and purchase the largest dowel they have. Have them cut it in half. Them have them make it as long as you want it. Mine is 14 inches long. I place my seam on it and start with the point of my iron in the seam and press down the seam. Taking your time and pressing open the seams on many quilts makes them look so pretty.
Have a great quilting day!

i think i,ll try making one too ,but using a wall trim only because it,s rounded on top and flat on bottom, will see if it works out wish me luck

This is the site I was talking about earlier: http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...himbles+set.do

That does look really neat but I'm sure you can get a piece of half round wood molding at Lowes or Home Depot for a lot less than the prices quoted.

I bought a length of trim from Home Depot. I tried to find half round, but couldn't, so got a piece that's rounded enough. The wood I got was about $7.50 for an 8' piece. When I got it home I cut off a 2' piece and kept the rest long. I use the 2' section on my small ironing table, that's right beside my sewing machine and the long one for my large ironing board. Now when I go to iron my one block wonder tops, just place the wood on the ironing board, lay the top over and line up the seam you are going to press on top of the molding. The wood holds the fabric up a bit and the rest drapes down. If your section isn't real long or wide, holding it up at an angle with the hand that's not holding the iron. Stick the nose of your iron in to get the seam open and go. It works slick.

Nancy's Notions carries finger covers to protect your fingers from a hot iron.

These strip sticks are excellent. I have had mine for 3 years. I use them every day. I iron all my seems open because it is easier for my Tiara to quilt. They are worth every penny. Emily

I use a manicurist's orange wood stick.

There is a very small iron just for this, sells at Jo anns, It has a small triangle heat tip and I only use it if I have to iron the seams open

I bought a wooden seam roller at a quilt show that helps. It's a good way to get the seams open and flat and then you can apply heat to it after, if needed.

It's similar to this:

http://spiromandalas.wordpress.com/using-a-seam-roller/

A short length of wooden molding works well--mine is about 24" long and was around $2 at Home Depot, as it sells by the foot and they'll cut the length you want. Picture a half round dowel (which was not available) on top of a quarter inch thick flat piece that extends about 1/4" wider than the half round, but of course it's all one piece. I figured I could cover it if necessary, but tried just the bare wood and it worked perfectly. No steam needed at this point: Just lay the seam along the stick, open the end with a finger or whatever, and run the iron down it. The seam falls open as you go. After that's done I usually press the whole block with steam. I no longer cringe at the need for opened seams! (My added bonus is my stick is just long enough to use as an extension of my finger when I want to reach over and turn my fan on or off and don't want to get up.)

You can use a wooden dowel in the same way as a strip stick or make one of your own by stuffing a tube of cloth. I use a dowel all the time .

i was going to use lumber molding too,instead i found some heavy fabric that was left over from making a cover for my ironing board . then i cut a strip about 2 inches wide by how long i needed them after i cut my sizes then i sewed each pouch or bag on both sides leaving only one end open then filled each pouch or bag very tightly with crushed walnuts shell. the same walnuts shell used for pincushions .then just hand stitch end closed ,it works very good

Why am I fixated on that jumping elephant?!

What's the strip stick stuffed with?

Hi When I press my seams I wear a quilting glove. Works great. :) Quilter qld