Quilt in a Day Forums

Which is the best way to press, steam or dry.. My niece using steam all the time.. I don't. which way is the best.....

If you are pressing as you are making blocks, dry is the best way as the fabric won't be misshapen. When I finish a block, I put a pressing cloth on the top and then use steam.

I think there is no best way, or right way, but for my part I always use steam - lots of steam! In my view, everything stays nicer and flatter that way, and you have more control over the fabric... But, that's just my preference...

Someone, somewhere here in OIAD said she'd taken a course at Quilt University, online, about pressing and it had helped her accurcy. So I just started that course and the instructor recomends steam. But, I think, over time everyone uses what works best for them.

I have always used steam. But I lift the iron up then down, rather than ironing back & forth. I've never had a problem with the fabric stretching.

I can't seem to pick out a decent steam iron. They're not hot enough and they sputter alot. I just quit using steam altogether. I do keep a mist bottle and squirt when needed.
Sherry

I'm a 'steamer' and press straight up and down, no wiggling........well hardly ever......LOL

Steam and sometimes even a squirt of spray starch but no ironing back and forth. Just a press, like El does it.

I agree. I asked El one time why my fabrics seemed to distort when I ironed them and she told me not to iron, but to "press". If you see any of her programs, she points the tip of the iron down to start and lightly presses the pieces. She always uses steam.