Dina

Do you use steam when you iron? I have been using steam for 3 years, but last week my iron pushed out some rusty water or something, as the block I was ironing was stained. I was, of course, on a white part of the block.

So, now I have quit using steam, but I am not so sure I am ironing as "flat" as I did with steam.

So, do you use steam? Is it just my imagination that the seams don't iron as flat?

Dina

DebraK

I've never felt like steam was necessary. I can understand how different it must feel to you though.

crafty pat

I have always used steam, it works better for me.

thimblebug6000

I don't usually use steam, but if I do, it's after the whole top is pieced, just before sandwiching.

grammysharon

I learned somewhere (?) to use dry iron and a spray water bottle. Then it presses down just fine and no chance of rusty water from the iron.

grammy Dwynn

I use steam..

I also (try to) remember to clean my iron, regularly. Just like changing blades, needles and cleaning our machine regularly. Our irons needs some TLC, too.

I remember a saying from way back ~ "Take care of your tools and they will take care of you."

Dina

Okay, maybe I need to figure out how to clean my iron. I have never done that. Could be my problem? May have to research, as I know I don't still have the instructions to this iron.

Thanks for your responses. For now, I am not steaming, but I do miss it.

Dina

Jan in VA

Was your iron a Rowenta? They are NOTORIOUS for doing this little number on our work.

I use steam because I want the seams pressed flat enough to look like they were woven together rather than sewn together, I'm kinda anal about it! Stopping to pick up a spray bottle *every* time would just drive me nuts. (Did I mention I'm anal/abit crazy?!) I do use a spray bottle, just not when I'm generally pressing a seam.

I feel that the distortion 'caused by steam' is actually caused by the ironer rather than the iron. When fabric is pressed correctly, carefully, on straight grain, not pushing the fabric, there is very little if any distortion with steam.

Jan in VA

janRN

I use steam but have never put water in my iron--I never figured out how to fill it. I use a small spray bottle from the dollar store and lightly spray the seams. If I'm paperpiecing, I spray my finger and run it over the seam. (I'm really anal about flat seams LOL).

Just read the "other" Jan's post---is anality (?) a Jan thing???

gramajo

I usually use steam when I "press" my seams. I don't iron. I feel it makes the seam lay flatter. Using a spray bottle with a dry iron is a pain in the ***.