suern3

Honestly, I ask myself that same question it seems each time I start a new quilt. Still not sure which way I prefer, although I do think that sometimes I press too much in an effort to get flat blocks. I'm a work in progress apparently!

zozee

What NJ Quilter said, minus the garment background.

Barb in Louisiana

I love how the steam makes the seams lay down so good but I absolutely hate how my HST's stretched on the bias edges, so I went back to no steam. Once the blocks are quilted, you can't tell the difference.

117becca

i also like steam. I find that if I need to "encourage" my block to get back to where it belongs, steam is a helpful persuader.

Jennifer23

I use steam and caution. Steam definitely gets my seams flatter, and as long as I'm careful I avoid stretching and shrinking.

I don't prewash anymore, but I pre-press all my fabric before cutting, so that any potential shrinkage is taken care of before I cut. Lifting the iron rather than dragging it prevents stretching or distortion.

quilterpurpledog

I most always use steam and press (not iron) with the grain of the fabric. Therefore, I have little problem with stretching. Steam just seems to set the seams better and makes them flatter.

Mariposa

I do use steam sometimes. When the project is needing to behave a little better~

EasyPeezy

I only use a dry iron. However, I just learned a new trick the other day which I kind of
dismissed at first then decided to give it a try. After I finished sewing my block and
as soon as I finish pressing, I put a square ruler on it and leave it there until it cools
completely. You get a nice flat block. It really works. I noticed that it creates just
enough steam under the ruler. Don't worry... your ruler won't melt. Wish I could
remember where I saw this trick...somewhere in the blog world.

Edit: It's better to leave it for a few hours. Doesn't work if you are too
impatient. LOL

Vicki1212

I've always steamed and have never had a problem at all. As long as you remember to PRESS and not IRON I also pre-wash all my fabrics so there is no shrinkage.

jmoore

It depends on the project at hand...I used to steam all the time but have read and learned that it can stretch your fabrics, especially when pressing strips...so now I am mostly "no steam" with the exception of a few things...and if it is a stubborn seam, I will give it a shot of starch.