Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Steam or dry iron for pressing squares >

Steam or dry iron for pressing squares

Steam or dry iron for pressing squares

Old 12-13-2010, 05:50 PM
  #41  
Junior Member
 
Judymc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, Calif.
Posts: 120
Default

I've been taught not to use steam. I have two irons. One for steam and one for dry.
Judymc is offline  
Old 12-13-2010, 05:59 PM
  #42  
Super Member
 
deema's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,304
Default

I starch the crap out of my fabric, then iron with steam, before cutting. I use a dry iron on completed blocks.
deema is offline  
Old 12-13-2010, 08:07 PM
  #43  
Super Member
 
jitkaau's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,116
Default

Depends if you are using stabilisers or not. Some stabilisers require dry iron and others steam. Others need to be used at different stages of the preparation, on both. I would just make sure you were not distorting the shape with excessive ironing and handling. Light setting and pressing of seams is all that is needed.
jitkaau is offline  
Old 12-13-2010, 08:41 PM
  #44  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Portland, OR via Hawaii
Posts: 1,342
Default

Originally Posted by JUNEC
I would replace your iron - I always press with steam
Same here...

Although, with steamed pieces, wait a second or two for it to cool a bit.
Momsmurf is offline  
Old 12-13-2010, 09:00 PM
  #45  
Member
 
RuthysRaggs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: N W Ohio
Posts: 73
Default

Originally Posted by okiepastor
You can fill you iron with vinegar. set to steam after soaking for overnight, let it heat up, steam a minute or two over an old towel
I always steam, but press, do not iron!then dump out(carefully!) you might have to repeat several times--this always worked for me.
I use vinegar straight to remove starch build-up. wipe on, let sit, then wipe off....if it is stubborn, heat the iron on 1 or 2.
This is all really good advice. I've used the vinegar to clean my irons. Rowenta Irons tell you not to use distilled water. You can also use dryer fabric softener sheets to clean the bottom of your iron. Just use an old towel or a thickness of rags under the dryer sheet or it will stain your ironing board cover. Run the hot iron over the dryer sheet till the iron is clean. Then clean with a clean rag. It will clean the bottom of the iron.
RuthysRaggs is offline  
Old 12-13-2010, 09:03 PM
  #46  
Super Member
 
TexasSunshine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Kilgore Tx
Posts: 1,883
Default

We have iron in our water also, a community well, and we have to filter water but still it will rust in the irons. I keep a spray bottle near and spritz water on whatever I'm pressing. I use spray starch and clean the iron with a product made for that (can't remember the name) but you can get it at Wal-Mart. After I clean the iron I heat it and run it over a piece of wax paper several times.
TexasSunshine is offline  
Old 12-13-2010, 09:06 PM
  #47  
Super Member
 
annieshane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: St Pauls, NC
Posts: 2,470
Default

In North Carolina we do have rust in private wells, especially if the water sits in the older irons for a few days. When I was using well water, I used a spray bottle and dry iron when I pressed. That saved a lot of problems.
annieshane is offline  
Old 12-13-2010, 09:17 PM
  #48  
Super Member
 
glenda5253's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Kansas
Posts: 1,024
Default

The instructions that came with my Rowenta say to use tap water unless you have extremely hard water and then use half distilled, half tap water. That's what I've been doing and so far so good.
glenda5253 is offline  
Old 12-13-2010, 11:09 PM
  #49  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
Default

If you are going to forget, just buy the inexpensive irons at Walmart, etc. If it rusts, 'chuck it'! I live with almost no short term memory, so I have to use these tricks quite often.
madamekelly is offline  
Old 12-13-2010, 11:27 PM
  #50  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Snohomish WA
Posts: 884
Default

Originally Posted by raptureready
Probably not the iron that's rusted but calcium/water deposit build up. ALWAYS use distilled water in your iron. My favorite iron is one that I picked up at Dollar General for $9. It steams well or the steam can be turned off, it's lightwieght even when filled with water and it's teflon coated.
What's the brand name of your iron? I need a non-fancy one that won't keep turning itself off so quickly. Thanks.
postal packin' mama is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SonjaG
Main
40
11-13-2021 11:00 AM
Juztme
Main
8
05-24-2012 03:54 PM
Nanaquilts44
Main
108
09-06-2011 10:45 PM
jad1044
Main
2
02-25-2011 03:25 PM
AtHomeSewing
Main
12
05-18-2009 11:28 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter