To steam or not to steam when pieceing
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Brooksville, FL
Posts: 207
I have always used steam in my iron when pressing my quilting fabric, pieces and blocks. It just makes the fabric so flat.
However, a local quilt shop owner, who I am taking a class under on how to use the Creative Grids House Ruler, said she never steams. However, she does spray starch on the back of the fabrics, pieces & completed blocks.
Any thoughts on this?
However, a local quilt shop owner, who I am taking a class under on how to use the Creative Grids House Ruler, said she never steams. However, she does spray starch on the back of the fabrics, pieces & completed blocks.
Any thoughts on this?
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 4,299
I don't use steam but that's partially just because I can't ever seem to remember to stop myself from "ironing" rather than "pressing", so I have issues with distorting my blocks ANYWAY. Steam just makes it worse!
I even put a label on my iron that says "PRESS! PRESS!" and that doesn't help. Of course I put it on the handle so I can't see it when I'm holding it, maybe I need to put it along the front and sides where I can actually see it when I'm ironing....PRESSING! lol
I even put a label on my iron that says "PRESS! PRESS!" and that doesn't help. Of course I put it on the handle so I can't see it when I'm holding it, maybe I need to put it along the front and sides where I can actually see it when I'm ironing....PRESSING! lol
#23
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,949
When I am cutting small pieces from fabric I purposely try and do all the ironing distortion I can to the piece of fabric. Get it out of the way before cutting and not worry about distorting the cut pieces when pressing them later.
#24
I just learned that steaming could shrink your fabric a little. Teacher recommended no steam. Blocks will come out more accurate. With steam your blocks could be off a little. Once your fabric gets wet it could shrink some. She never steams and her blocks stay accurate.
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chapel Hill
Posts: 1,086
I use a dry iron and a spray bottle, also because I got tired of the steam burns and hiccups from my steam iron. I have managed to distort fabric from careless pressing, so I'm more careful now about how I do it. I do like the sharp crease that it can create.
Cheers, K
Cheers, K
#28
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,406
I just learned that steaming could shrink your fabric a little. Teacher recommended no steam. Blocks will come out more accurate. With steam your blocks could be off a little. Once your fabric gets wet it could shrink some. She never steams and her blocks stay accurate.
I have had a Michael Miller fabric shrink over 2.5 inches in width. If I had cut a 12.5 inch square from that unwashed fabric- after pressing with steam, that block would be less than 12.25 inches in one direction.
So - yes - steam pressing unwashed/unshrunk fabric can cause the dimensions of the piece to change due to shrinkage.
While in the class - do it the way the instructor says - try it - you might like it.
If other ways suit you better at other times, do it the way you prefer.
I generally do not use starch or sizing, but I will use it on a very unruly piece to get the seams to stay the way I want them do.
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,845
Wouldn't the starch create steam as soon as the hot iron hits it?
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