Steam or no steam?
07-06-2012, 11:49 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York City/Manhattan
Posts: 1,316
I never steam because my irons have all become incontinent and invariably stain something. I use a dry iron and if I want to set something particularly, such as a finished block, I spray the piece then apply the iron.
07-07-2012, 03:06 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Stanley NC
Posts: 981
[QUOTE=mike'sgirl;5340863]I have heard different opinions concerning the use of steam when piecing a quilt. I prefer to use steam, but worry that it does distort the blocks, but the iron doesn't seem to work as well without it. I am using a cheapo iron, but had the same results when I was using an expensive one.
What are some opinions out there concerning steam?
I wash all my fabric before cutting. That seems to eliminate the distortion problem but I also spray each seam as I piece with fabric sizing. So even if I iron the square after pressing the seams, there doesn't seem to be any distortion. Anyone else do this?
What are some opinions out there concerning steam?
I wash all my fabric before cutting. That seems to eliminate the distortion problem but I also spray each seam as I piece with fabric sizing. So even if I iron the square after pressing the seams, there doesn't seem to be any distortion. Anyone else do this?
07-07-2012, 05:51 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nevada
Posts: 6,958
I use water or Best Press. Sometimes my pressing turns into ironing, but I try to be cautious.
A tip I received from one of my LA teachers was don't press the quilt before loading. Load the quilt and then spray a 50/50 mix of water and Best Press and the fabric relaxes out most of the wrinkles. It works quite nicely.
A tip I received from one of my LA teachers was don't press the quilt before loading. Load the quilt and then spray a 50/50 mix of water and Best Press and the fabric relaxes out most of the wrinkles. It works quite nicely.
This made me chuckle!
07-10-2012, 11:33 AM
#27
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,511
I do what works for me after years of trying all the options and what works for me is NOT what works for other quilters. You should do what works for you and not bother with anyone else's rules.
Make some identical blocks (include HSTs or other bias edges in them), trimming to make sure they're all the same size. Press some both dry and steam, then iron some both dry and steam. Measure them all again. Note any changes. That'll give you a starting spot for accuracy.
If you're obsessive about it, you can refine that testing procedure for the best (i.e., most accurate) method for pressing seams, too. Make one block using only dry pressing. Make another using only steam ironing. Then the other two ways, then some combinations. It sounds tedious, and it is, but you'll know for sure what works best for you when you're done....and phooey on everyone else.
Make some identical blocks (include HSTs or other bias edges in them), trimming to make sure they're all the same size. Press some both dry and steam, then iron some both dry and steam. Measure them all again. Note any changes. That'll give you a starting spot for accuracy.
If you're obsessive about it, you can refine that testing procedure for the best (i.e., most accurate) method for pressing seams, too. Make one block using only dry pressing. Make another using only steam ironing. Then the other two ways, then some combinations. It sounds tedious, and it is, but you'll know for sure what works best for you when you're done....and phooey on everyone else.
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