Cathe

I do "move" my iron. Not so much lengthwise but more aross the seams, to make them flat and crisp, especially from the front. :mrgreen:

Also, think of the iron as another tool for shaping your block - When my students had trouble getting their blocks to full-size, it was often because they had just dabbed at the fabric with the iron in an attempt to press without moving the iron. They hadn't pressed it out well enough.

Most of the distortion in pieces, especially long pieces, is done during the sewing. You have to let the strips feed through "naturally" rather than pulling on them, but it's hard to do.

Steam can be effectively used for easing in unwanted fullness. I like steam.

live2teach

Those are great tips, Bebe.

kaye wood

Great tips!

I also never use steam and I always press from the right side.
Pressing from the wrong side can make creases at the seam line.

Boston1954

My sister and I went to a show a couple of months ago, and they had a demonstration, on a good way to remove wrinkles. The lady said to get a spray bottle and put 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of water and spray the problem areas. I know this has nothing to do with "pressing" but it just popped into my head and thought I would share it.

Anne

sspingler

I use steam and lots of it. I also use spray starch to help the fabric remember that it has a memory.
For pressing out stubborn wrinkles, try Windex.

Rose Marie

I always use steam.
El Burns uses it too.

sandpat

Thanks for the tips Bebe...If I keep hearing them, maybe I'll finially start to do it right :roll:

bebe

Don't ever iron your quilts once they are quilted the batting will become flatter than road kill. It can cause the batting to come apart or loose.

littlehud

Thanks for the tips. Wow, I never thought of using Windex.

minstrel

Windex? Really? Never would've thought of that. I'll have to try that next time - although I'm kinda having flashbacks to "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"!