ghostrider

Same here. I iron my prewashed yardage, with steam even which I'm sure shatters another "rule." I do try to iron with the grain of the fabric though, to avoid any inadvertent stretching while it's more pliable from the steam.

And like feline fanatic, I also iron my blocks, mostly when they're finished though. During piecing, I'm more apt to press units "just in case", but that's the only exception unless I'm working with known non-grain raw edged finished units (blocks, setting triangles, curves, etc).

I don't have a quilting 'Rule Book', I have quilting 'Personnel Policies' and since I developed them exclusively for the personnel in my studio (me), I have no problem at all following them.

ckcowl

I prewash, dry and iron yardage or large pieces. Press pieced blocks to keep from distorting.

Buckeye Rose

Agree with all previous posters, just want to add that I don't iron (yes, I iron) with starch until I am ready to cut and sew as the starch is attractive to bugs.

Jeanne S

When it is still just whole yardage, after washing/drying, I spray with spray starch, let it sit for 5 minutes or so, then iron with a steam iron. The pressing is only after you have cut your pieces to not distort the shape.

NJ Quilter

Another in the 'iron' camp. I use steam and starch as well. I first iron the piece flat, then fold selvedge to selvedge making sure the folded piece is as close to 'on grain' as possible, then iron again with more starch and more steam. And yes, I 'iron' blocks with steam as well. So far, so good.

rj.neihart

I wash all fabric and then iron only what I need - yes, I said IRON. My pieces, once cut, seem to fall into place. I've never had a problem with pieces fitting.

juliea9967

I prewash and dry all my fabrics. Then I straighten them to make sure they are on grain. Then I iron with the grain.

joe'smom

Fabric is least stretchy along the length of grain, so I always iron along the length. I don't use steam, but I do use Best Press when ironing yardage.

AZ Jane

Thank you!! I have never understood all the angst about using heat to remove wrinkles.

JanieH

I love your philosophy of diving in and having fun learning. I worry so much about "being perfect" that I don't try too many new things. I am going to adopt your philosophy! Thanks