Pressing vs. Ironing
 

I have always heard that you should PRESS seams and blocks....that ironing tends to distort the fabric.
I have watched lots of quilting videos and they all seem to iron. Just this morning I watched Jenny Doan video and she tends to iron the blocks. Sometimes, she uses a spurt of steam....thought that was a no-no too, although I use a quick spray when needed.
I always press blocks.
What are your thoughts about this? Is it the time constraint when doing a video?
Thanks.

I iron, steam and spray my (pre-washed) fabric before cutting. During and after piecing, I steam press to set the seams because the up/down motion is faster, but generally iron after that's done.

'Press don't iron' is a rule I choose to ignore because doing so works well for me. It has never distorted anything, not even bias edges since once they are seamed they don't stretch. Possible contributory reasons might be the hot water pre-washed fabric and on-grain cutting/piecing/ironing.

I've wondered about that too....maybe it's a "do as I say and not as I do" thing? :D

Like most everything in quilting, do what gives you the best results...

Quite honestly I don't know the difference between the two. I heavy starch my fabrics before cutting, so actually I have very little issues with stretch

I believe (works for me) if when putting the iron to the fabric, if you pull the fabric up a bit to really get the wrinkle out then you will distort it. You can check for distortion when you true it up. As long as the fabric doesn't move, I see no way it can be distorted.

It could be because of the time constraints of the video, or because she's just the type who wants to get on with it and ironing is quicker. She doesn't strike me as someone overly preoccupied with rules or tradition.

I get distortion when I iron, so I stick to pressing my blocks. I iron along the length of grain when preparing my fabric for cutting.

I love watching Jenny because her enthusiasm is infectious, but her techniques aren't always optimum. She definitely irons rather than pressing. I could not get good results that way. I always set my seams first with a quick press, then press again with the seam going the right way.

I think it's just a difference in the style of quilter. She's more down and dirty and I put more importance on taking the time to learn the fundamentals. One way is not better than the other way; whichever way gives you more enjoyment is the right way.

Oh right on! I have seen very few videos but every one, including the Ricky-Timms and what's her name showing you how to do the folded flying geese...they all seem to let the iron swoop!

I finger press first when ironing the join between two pieces while building a block, because it gives me better accuracy when I lay the iron on it, but once it is assembled I very carefully carefully iron. I would never steam until I have an assembly of a big block or rows and I prefer that the fabric not be starched stiff - I like to get the feel of it and work with it, learn how to get it to do what I want without stiffener. But I don't pre-wash - !

I have notice that too on Jenny's tutorial videos and wondered about it. I try to press, but often slip back into old habits and iron!

A quick swipe with the iron won't hurt anything no matter how you do it. A hard ironing will be a problem. For bias edges I use a lightweight fusible interfacing on the fabric before cutting. That bias isn't going anywhere.

I tend to iron with a light hand when getting the wrinkles out of washed and starched fabric. I press the seams to set them -- sometimes with steam and sometimes not. I also use a tailor's clapper if there are a lot of cross seams since the pressure on the steamed seams really helps flatten the seams.

Doesn't this depend on how much vodka you have had? :D Just kidding.

I typically iron. If I try to press, then when I turn the fabric over, the fabric bunches about a 1/4" so there is a new ironing line where there isn't supposed to be one. One more crease to get out. No thank you.

I think if you have a lot of bias you can make you blocks off but regular straight seams I have never had an issue ironing, and I steam the heck out of everything, doesn't really affect my blocks but I use good quality cotton

I took a class and found out using a white fluffy towel on top of the ironing board helps with fabric not getting distorted. Plus the small pieces stay put! I use the towel all the time now. Use white just in case of color bleeding

This is something I keep meaning to try. It sounds like a great way to make sewing a lot easier.

I have taken several classes and was told by nationally known teachers not to use a fluffy towel as the block or piece will sink in and distort. LOL

I use the Steady Betty to press my quilt pieces and it's great. The fabric does not move.

Batting tape works great for putting on the sewing line when making HSTs.

But doesnt that fluffy towel get smooshed down pretty quick when pressing?

I have seen Jenny iron her blocks and amazed since it is a bad habit to teach new quilters. Since I oversize my blocks, I stitch, starch, press then trim. Once they are blocks, I carefully press them sometimes when they have been stitched together.

For what reason? Do you mean controlling that bias edge when sewing....from already cut triangles, not a square that is going to be cut into hst(s)? I have done HSTs both ways and really have not had any stretch when doing the precut triangle way. If your pressure foot is at the right pressure and you let those feed dogs do their job, there won't be any in sewing; pressing that seam to sink those stitches, then open to press to side is no problem...if one does it quickly and not labors over it.......but that's me....pieces, blocks measure spot on.......

I guess it depends on what works for you.
Thanks for the comments. It was interesting to read.