Steam or not
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
I am a steamer but I am careful not to push the iron across seams that push them, especially a bias seam because it does indeed push it out of line and is harder to deal with in the next step. I use an inexpensive iron, Black and Decker or G.E. If using steam shortens the life of the iron I will just buy another one. It is just to convenient to keep steam in it. I also think we need to be careful about the chemicals added to the manufacturing process of fabric. Lesser quality fabric seems to have more than the better quality fabrics. The chemicals are used to improve the 'hand' of the fabric.
#22
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: England Alton Towers
Posts: 6,674
I used steam on the fabric from Joanns that I didn't wash first, and thats how I got this terrible chemical burn on my face, so be careful with steam on unwashed fabrics. It released a terrible gassy chemical odor throughout the house, and then I developed a terrible burn all over my face and inside my nose. That was in December, and my face is still a mess.
#23
To steam or not to steam when you iron is another one of those controversial questions. Like to pre-wash your fabric or not. I myself am a big fan of steam when I iron. I feel it gives a much better crease. Others will say to never steam iron as it stretches your fabric. Just be careful how you iron.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,232
I like steam. BUT, I am making quilts with donated fabric scraps for a charity. I didn't prewash because the fabrics were lots of small, odd, shapes, and I thought prewashing would be a disaster. I have found that one fabric shrinks a lot when I steam it and distorts the block. I have thrown out those scrapes.
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 859
That's terrible, bee! Was that the first time? Did you know you have extreme sensitivity to chemicals? I have never heard of anything like that happening to anyone. How did your doctor treat it??
I hope you heal soon.
I hope you heal soon.
I used steam on the fabric from Joanns that I didn't wash first, and thats how I got this terrible chemical burn on my face, so be careful with steam on unwashed fabrics. It released a terrible gassy chemical odor throughout the house, and then I developed a terrible burn all over my face and inside my nose. That was in December, and my face is still a mess.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 449
Hi, thanks, I didn't have sensitivities before, It was such a noxious gas odor that came off of the fabric once the steam hit it, we had to leave the room it was so bad. Im even afraid to return it, its triple bagged out in the garage, not sure whether to have it tested by a lab or throw it out.
Last edited by bee3; 03-05-2015 at 07:57 AM.
#29
I don't pre-wash and I rarely use steam. I do starch before cutting on occasion and will also use a light spritz of Best Press if things need to be really flat. My seams intersect, points are pointy and things match. I've never noticed an issue with shrinkage either. Either way works so choose whichever you like best.
#30
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,420
I'm a big steamer.
Wow, that sounded wrong, lol!!
As someone else said, I just don't push the iron around unnecessarily. I've found that lots of times, steam can help you fix issues, especially if you're dealing with bias. I recently made a quilt from jelly rolls, the block edges were ALL on the bias. I glue-pinned the seams so they would match, then steamed the blocks, holding the iron about a quarter-inch above the fabric. All those bias edges snapped their heels together, saluted me, and lined up perfectly.
Wow, that sounded wrong, lol!!
As someone else said, I just don't push the iron around unnecessarily. I've found that lots of times, steam can help you fix issues, especially if you're dealing with bias. I recently made a quilt from jelly rolls, the block edges were ALL on the bias. I glue-pinned the seams so they would match, then steamed the blocks, holding the iron about a quarter-inch above the fabric. All those bias edges snapped their heels together, saluted me, and lined up perfectly.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post