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To steam or not to steam................

To steam or not to steam................

Old 03-12-2011, 03:15 PM
  #51  
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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.
I always use steam, but I am very careful to PRESS, not Iron. It is the moving of the iron across the fabric that stretches it - my opinion
Ditto for me.
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Old 03-12-2011, 04:00 PM
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I have had problems with my blocks strething also and my instructor said to press, not iron. It is the motion and direction that you iron that stretches the fabric. I have also started finger pressing and then ironing when done and have had better results. I am also going to try starch to see what happens. I am pretty new at this to and will try anything to see what works best for me.
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Old 03-12-2011, 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by erstan947
I use spray starch and no steam. It is all a personal choice.
There is really no right or wrong:)
Same here.
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Old 03-12-2011, 04:45 PM
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I am new to quilting as well, and I always use steam.
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Old 03-12-2011, 05:05 PM
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I love steam, but have not worked with bias, so don't know if that makes a difference
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Old 03-12-2011, 05:16 PM
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I have always used steam but after reading what you said and
some of the others I guess I better not use steam on bias pieces.
You can learn something every day.
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Old 03-12-2011, 05:18 PM
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"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"


I agree with Jan -- I have been quilting over 20 yrs and use steam but always PRESS!
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Old 03-12-2011, 05:20 PM
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I've never been lucky enough to find a steam iron that didn't spit or drip. We also have hard water here and no softener so if I press for steam I'll get lime!!

I'll use my 50/50 starch if I need to "press a seam into submission".
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Old 03-12-2011, 05:46 PM
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I do both.
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Old 03-12-2011, 05:55 PM
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I have 'well water' that is extremely hard. Therefore I use distilled or drinking water in the bottles.
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