To steam or not to steam................
#23
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 42
Thanks everyone for your tricks of the trade. I think I may try the spray bottle also. I need to be more careful about not ironing and pressing instead. Old habits die hard after ironing for so many years I guess :) Thanks again...this site is so very helpful!
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 547
Originally Posted by CoriAmD
Originally Posted by JAK
I am a new quilter of only about 3 months. I have read numerous articles, books, Youtube tutorials and most generally they have all said not to use steam when pressing seams/squares as it can stretch fabric. I started a quilting class this week and instructor says to steam. Just wondering what most of you more experienced quilters prefer.
Most of the books advised not to 'iron' because people didn't understand not to stretch the fabric. Once it became better known to 'press' not 'iron', then I think more people understood they could press without a problem. Just don't stretch the fabric...and I think many times this is what the books refer too (and it keeps their projects easy to do/correct if you haven't stretched your fabric out of shape).
#27
Originally Posted by erstan947
I use spray starch and no steam. It is all a personal choice.
There is really no right or wrong:)
There is really no right or wrong:)
#28
I don't use steam, but to be honest I have forgotten and pressed with the steam function on and never had any distortion that I could notice. I think I get a crisper flatter result if I press with steam and a little bit of Best Press though. I also keep a bottle of water by my ironing board for wrinkles that won't come out.
The biggest habit that has been helpful to me is pressing not ironing - as many other ladies have mentioned. I generally open seams with my fingers first and use my nail to sort of create a "guide" for pressing. You can also buy a little wooden pressing stick from the craft store for a few bucks...I use that when I'm making something with a lot of seams so I don't have to keep getting up and going to the ironing board. Like this pineapple quilt I'm currently working on, I usually finish the entire block and just use my wooden pressing stick and then take it to the ironing board and press with a little bit of Best Press.
The biggest habit that has been helpful to me is pressing not ironing - as many other ladies have mentioned. I generally open seams with my fingers first and use my nail to sort of create a "guide" for pressing. You can also buy a little wooden pressing stick from the craft store for a few bucks...I use that when I'm making something with a lot of seams so I don't have to keep getting up and going to the ironing board. Like this pineapple quilt I'm currently working on, I usually finish the entire block and just use my wooden pressing stick and then take it to the ironing board and press with a little bit of Best Press.
#29
If you can find one of those wooden rollers used for pressing the seams of wallpaper, they work wonderfully for pressing seams. I use it on short seams and save pressing for the finished or long seams. With or without steam depends on the block. And my mood.
#30
Originally Posted by Jan in VA
30 years quilting, teaching, designing. My opinion is that it isn't the steam which distorts, it's the 'presser'. I always use steam, high heat, and a pressing-not ironing motion.
Jan in VA
Jan in VA
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