Pressing ?
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,753
Thank you for the tips and reassurance that I am not alone. Maniac Quilter I have never been sure what part of the line I place the ruler, so getting a little bit more fabric will be helpful. Gramajo I don't use steam as I think steam distorts even more, but just spraying the seams I bet will work. Tartan good to know others also have the problem. I love the phrase I heard not to long ago,"Done is better than perfect."
Does using starch help?
Does using starch help?
If you get a chance, sign up for the Craftsy.com 2013 block of the month taught by Laura Nownes,--it's one of their free classes. You don't have to make the quilt, if you're not into that, but Laura does a great job demonstrating pressing techniques and it is worth it to follow through the lessons, just to learn her technique for pressing half square triangles.
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#12
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Wis
Posts: 5,928
My goodness, that's me too! I did 2 rows of a quilt, and one row was over 2 inches bigger than the 1st row. At first I thought I had the sashings different sizes on the 2nd row. But no - it was that one block was 1/2 inch bigger, one was 1/4 inch bigger, etc. And I thought I was being careful! Anyway, my problem was that I hadn't cut some pieces on the straight of grain and they stretched from me handling them. So I think cuttting on the straight of grain as well as starching would help. I was so tempted to put it all aside, but they're blocks we're all working on for one of my quilt clubs. I'm glad I fixed it.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Washington
Posts: 322
rryder thanks for the tips. I signed up for the class but never got around to watching it. Glad to know there are others who struggle with this. Hopefully some of the tips given will be helpful.
#16
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,511
I've taken two workshops with Debbie Maddy. She is a great instructor, easy to listen to and super nice. She knows her stuff and has funny stories about traveling. Don't hesitate to take one of her classes.
What helps me to keep my blocks all the same size: I starch my fabric stiff as paper before cutting. I use a seam guide that is exactly 1/4" seam. I sew very slow. I use thin thread for piecing. It takes time and patience to be accurate.
What helps me to keep my blocks all the same size: I starch my fabric stiff as paper before cutting. I use a seam guide that is exactly 1/4" seam. I sew very slow. I use thin thread for piecing. It takes time and patience to be accurate.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I will sometimes have a devil of a time with a quilt and have come to realize that besides very accurate cutting keeping the ruler line like Maniac says above (or using my Accuquilt!), and making sure that I either use very fine thread or a scant 1/4" seam, that I MUST square up the parts of a block as I put the block together. This allows me to catch the problems as I'm putting the blocks together and either re-do or trim (if too big). When I'm lazy about this I always stuggle with block sizes being wacky. Also a beginning teacher pointed out that using steam (which I do a lot and am trying to break the habit) will cause the fabric to stretch if you are not pressing but ironing so there's distortion, or can also shrink fabric due to the moisture and heat--which makes sense since using it on a quilt with cupping problems before quilting helps tame the cupping by shrinking it. Has anyone else heard this?
#19
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
Depending on the block, I only finger-press during construction and do a final press with an iron when the block is done. I recently bought a 1/4" foot for my machine and replaced the 1/4" foot with the guide. What a difference. Now my blocks actually resemble the block size they are supposed to be. Since I participate in block swaps, it is important that my blocks meet the requirements.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: England Alton Towers
Posts: 6,673
I starch fabric stiff sometimes, it depends on the block pattern. Rail fence I just use the 1/4" foot on my machine and a thin thread and press seams with starch mist.
Stiff starch like cardboard, starch mist is a quick press over.
Stiff starch like cardboard, starch mist is a quick press over.
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gale
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05-16-2015 05:45 AM