Jan in VA

It's not the steam, but the "presser" that distorts the job.
Do what YOU want!

ManiacQuilter2

There is NO RIGHT or WRONG about steam. You just press your blocks as carefully as possible. Eleanor Burns uses steam !!!

cathyvv

I do similar, but no starch unless I'm really having a hard time with a fabric. those little bits of starch flake off a fabric when working it, and set off my allergies.

My experience is that steam ironing does stretch fabric more than the spritz method. But that could be my imagination!

CarolinePaj

Steam steam steam for me!

I also use starch at times!

Hugs

Caroline

Auntie V

I worked for over 6 years as a wool presser in a dry cleaning plant. It is now hard for me to not use steam.

Rhondalynn

I use a dry iron, just my personal preference. I spray the back of my block lightly with Best Press to keep the seams flat.

joe'smom

I don't use steam, because it often makes ripples in my fabrics (I'm not ironing, honestly!). So I've contented myself with dry pressing (but I use Best Press throughout the piecing process).

pumpkinpatchquilter

My very first quilting book was written by Harriet Hartgrave...a purist and true traditionalist in the world of quilting. For years I did not use steam as I was terribly concerned with distortion after reading her books...now adays...I use steam. I really don't think it can cause a lot of distortion unless you are working with curved seams or biased edges...or long seams (read - sewing your rows together). I say...use your best judgment depending on what you're working with.

(...and for the record, from my own personal experience I find that distortion is more a problem for fabrics that are not prewashed/preshrunk...)

leatheflea

I never use steam. I spray starch my fabric, let air dry and then press, cut, and piece. No steam required with starch.

NJ Quilter

I'm a steamer and a starcher. But I think Tartan said it best...do what you are being instructed to do in the class as you are paying to learn a particular thing there. When not at class...do as you please.