ManiacQuilter2

I have always used steam because Eleanor Burns of QIAD does. There was NO u-tube when I learned to quilt but she was on PBS so I watch and learn from her. The trick is NOT to move the iron unnecessarily around the fabric like when ironing a shirt.

PaperPrincess

I finger press a lot, but when I use the iron, I use steam. I also pre wash.

Lori S

I am on the side of "steamers". It seems I just don't get the same flat results with no steam.

ghostrider

I pre-wash everything and also steam press, both before cutting and during piecing. No problems at all and it gives me flatter, more precise blocks.

Stitchnripper

I mostly use steam. Re: Eleanor Burns (I love her and she has taught me a lot) - she uses steam but says there is an ongoing "discussion" with her son who quilts and he does not use steam. Which means to me, do what works for you.

thimblebug6000

I pre-wash all my fabrics and don't use steam because I have an ancient iron that has a solid soleplate .... Although for tough wrinkles I do spritz with water. As in most things in life do whatever works out the best for you, enjoy it and don't worry about what other people think is the right or wrong thing to do.

Elaine433

I use steam and just press. Sometimes when I am too lazy to fill the iron I just use a hot iron but I find that I have better and faster results with the steam.

Aurora

No steam here. I do sometimes use a spray bottle if there are deep set-in wrinkles in my fabric prior to cutting strips.

feline fanatic

I do not use steam. My iron has never had water added to it. I have read, that even though these irons are manufactured to have water and make steam, the life of the iron is greatly lengthened if you don't add water. But even if that wasn't the case, I probably still wouldn't use steam. I have a spritz bottle to lightly mist the fabric if I have really stubborn wrinkles. I have no problems making precise blocks and flat seams.

donnajean

I'm a steamer. I guess I steam everything equally as I've never had a problem with shrinkage.