jpthequilter

Pressing is always more accurate.
It does not distort the fabric.
but
You are ironing the wrong direction.
Press across the strips to set the seams only.

If you want to make the work easier for yourself,
starch and iron the fabric before you cut it.
If the fabric is a bit stiff and papery it sews ever so much
better.
I find that if I myself don't iron any blocks, or seams the finished work goes together very neatly and nicely!
but
I have a friend that irons like crazy during construction and
her finished blocks also go together well.
Go figure?

jpthequilter

You are right! If you trim bits of fabric off the blocks, that you cut right in the first place,
When you wash the finished quilt, the blocks will end up pulled and wonky!

If you get a distorted block, steam it with the iron held above it to see if it will return to its right shape.
IF it doesn't -
Do not trim it, instead ease the two blocks together when you sew them,(because they are cut right) and the first time the finished quilt is washed, the fabric will adjust.

To ease two blocks together, stretch the shorter one just a little bit, so both ends are exactly on top of each other, and put lots of pins in it to hold it securely while you are stitching the seam.

rob529

This is also the way I feel. Better to be safe then sorry especially with strips. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Robin in TX

pieces

Press. Press means to lay the iron on the fabric/seam.
Just like you do when you 'set' a seam. Moving the iron back and forth stretches and distorts fabric. After the quilt top is completed you can iron carefully since the all the seams will prevent stretching and distorting.

Iron is for clothes, you move the iron back and forth.
The garmet has already been sewn together so the fabric won't distort.

dd

If you sew with the longer piece of fabric on the bottom, next to the feed dogs, it will go together better. The feed dogs will help to ease the larger piece to fit the smaller piece better.

Olivia's Grammy

I always press. When teaching new students, one of the hardest things is for them to remember not to iron,but to press. Big difference in my opinon.

Auntie B

Oh boy, I know the difference, but I think I find myself glazing over. Just PRESS it, darn it!!! I'm going to cut it straight in the long run anyways. But that's just my thoughts.