quiltingshorttimer

My exact system! I recently saw a Sewing with Nancy where she talked about "really putting some steam into those seams and then pulling it out/making the seams very flat by using a wooden presssing (?) block after you steam them"--and she was showing this on quilt blocks. Of course, with steam you have to press not iron!

quiltingshorttimer

Just want to add that whatever method you choose, your long arm quilter will be able to tell the tops that are thoroughly pressed at each construction point and those that are not--the well pressed ones allow a more "seamless" quality to the quilting, while those that the pressing left "rolling hills" will either require the quilter to press (and cost you $$) or if the blocks are sewn in a way that the seams can not be pressed flat, it will be more likely to have little tucks, etc in the quilting. Doing charity quilts I can just about tell which ones got thoroughly pressed and which just got "done".

Judi in Ohio

I am so shocked. I was told when I started quilting - no steam! And I've never used steam - every quilt retreat or class I've been on, or done has had irons set up, no steam. So I'm shocked at the amount of quilters that steam. I do believe that steam can distort so I just wouldn't do it.

solstice3

I steam. I fact, I steamed my leg today....ouch

oldtisme

I starch then let the starch dry on the fabric so its absorbed good into the fabric then I iron it with steam to dampen the starch up a bit again. I do this every time before cutting. That is unless I starch it & put in the fridge for pressing later then no steam as the fabric is still wet from the starch.

ccthomas

Some fabrics seem to like steam and starch better than others. The type of cut such as HSTs make a difference as well. Still learning.

Farm Quilter

I combine steam and starch...weird, I know! When I use steam I have to remember to press, not iron!!

newbiequilter

I steam and press during the construction stage. I DO NOT iron. I do use Best Press when finalizing the block. IMHO.

Donnamarie

I always, always use steam. I couldn't image quilting without it but it is a personal preference. While in a Dear Jane class they suggest spraying with Best Press for more accurate sewing but nothing was mentioned about steam.

peaceandjoy

This is one of those things, like pre-washing fabric or not, that there will never be agreement on, lol!

I don't pre-wash and I do use steam. Do what works for you, enjoy and don't worry about "rules."