From Don-isewman--??? for anyone, or everyone
05-08-2010, 07:18 PM
#22
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: home again, after 27 yrs!
Posts: 19,388
I also use steam but just press, don't iron. that simply means don't slide your iron over the block to much because you can stretch the fabric out of shape. press seams flat with or without steam.,your choice.
05-08-2010, 08:15 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sugar Land, Texas
Posts: 680
Originally Posted by BellaBoo
More important then steam or no steam is the ironing surface. If your surface is soft, the block will sink in and distort with a hot iron or steam setting in the distortion. A very firm non giving surface will make a big difference. I use a board for pressing all my blocks and piecing. A thick piece of plywood covered with one layer of thin cotton batting with cotton canvas stretched around it and then stapled. I need all the help I can get and small things make a big difference.
05-08-2010, 09:04 PM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW
Posts: 7,940
I use steam to iron only whole pieces of fabric. Once it is cut into quilting pieces, I only use dry (hot) iron, to avoid any distortion caused by hot steam hitting any bias areas.
05-09-2010, 03:48 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: MS
Posts: 3,434
Originally Posted by zkosh
Originally Posted by BellaBoo
More important then steam or no steam is the ironing surface. If your surface is soft, the block will sink in and distort with a hot iron or steam setting in the distortion. A very firm non giving surface will make a big difference. I use a board for pressing all my blocks and piecing. A thick piece of plywood covered with one layer of thin cotton batting with cotton canvas stretched around it and then stapled. I need all the help I can get and small things make a big difference.
05-09-2010, 03:58 AM
#29
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
I am hesitant to press with steam if the fabric has not been pre-washed. The sizing could distort the pieces. Also, if there if a difference in quality (thread count) of the individual pieces. Dry iron is safer. I attended a class with Sally Collins last weekend and she presses with dry iron and then puts a heavy book on the piece until it cools. This really works in keeping the seams flat. I often steam press as the final press when the top is together, especially from the back to halep keep all the seams flatter. I believe many believe dry is safer. I will iron the fabric with steam before cutting. This should help with additional shrinkage of the fabric.
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