To steam or not to steam................
#31
I've never really got comfortable with the steam function on irons, so I don't use it. I keep a spray bottle around for stubborn creases, though I'm now trying to make sure that I don't let my fabric get too creased when I prewash it as that's the main problem. I don't use the spray bottle often.
The main thing for me is the size of the iron. Unless I'm pressing whole pieces of fabric to prepare them, or pressing a completed quilt top before basting, I don't use a standard sized iron. I use a little travel iron which sits on a tabletop ironing board on my sewing desk, so I can press without doing more than reaching a few inches further away. I find that the small size and light weight of the iron are much better for those little 1/4" seams, it's much easier to manoeuvre, whether it's straight seams or curved ones, or appliqué come to that. If I was using a big heavy standard iron for piecing, I suspect I'd end up with distortions and accidentally pressing in creases and such.
Spray starch - I've found that while it makes the fabrics easier to handle because they're stiffer, it also means that if the top gets folded up at any point (and sooner or later it will, especially around basting time) then I get creases settling in which are much harder to get out. This also happens with quilting frame creases. So now I'm pretty much keeping it for appliqué and for sewing small pieces on the bias, since I had no end of fun with some small triangles a while back.
The main thing for me is the size of the iron. Unless I'm pressing whole pieces of fabric to prepare them, or pressing a completed quilt top before basting, I don't use a standard sized iron. I use a little travel iron which sits on a tabletop ironing board on my sewing desk, so I can press without doing more than reaching a few inches further away. I find that the small size and light weight of the iron are much better for those little 1/4" seams, it's much easier to manoeuvre, whether it's straight seams or curved ones, or appliqué come to that. If I was using a big heavy standard iron for piecing, I suspect I'd end up with distortions and accidentally pressing in creases and such.
Spray starch - I've found that while it makes the fabrics easier to handle because they're stiffer, it also means that if the top gets folded up at any point (and sooner or later it will, especially around basting time) then I get creases settling in which are much harder to get out. This also happens with quilting frame creases. So now I'm pretty much keeping it for appliqué and for sewing small pieces on the bias, since I had no end of fun with some small triangles a while back.
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Manchester, NH
Posts: 701
Originally Posted by Gramie bj
I have always used a dry Iron if I need steam I use a spray bottle. Ladies aren't spray bottls great! I remember using a sprinkle bottle when Ironing cloths. I still have mine.
1
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Org. Texas now Florida
Posts: 847
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.
Syl
#38
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
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Org. Texas now Florida
Posts: 847
Back in the day------we used to iron everything.
My husband was in the Air Force so I had to iron his fatigues. What a job!
I would sprinkle them down, roll them up, and put them in a pillow case, then I put them in the frig over night. The cold and damp would take out all of the wrinkles.
The next day I would spray starch them, with my starch that I made from the dry box of starch and adding water. Faultless? Back then they also had a bottle of starch that they used just for collars and cuffs, very, very stiff that would last through 3 or 4 washings, I haven't seen any in a long time. Not much need for it now.
Syl
My husband was in the Air Force so I had to iron his fatigues. What a job!
I would sprinkle them down, roll them up, and put them in a pillow case, then I put them in the frig over night. The cold and damp would take out all of the wrinkles.
The next day I would spray starch them, with my starch that I made from the dry box of starch and adding water. Faultless? Back then they also had a bottle of starch that they used just for collars and cuffs, very, very stiff that would last through 3 or 4 washings, I haven't seen any in a long time. Not much need for it now.
Syl
#40
Originally Posted by ThreadHead
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.
Syl
Linda
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