When quilting, there are three things that lead to an accurate quilt block. Cutting, sewing, and pressing. If you don’t cut your pieces right, your block (and quilt) will have no chance at accuracy. Once you cut your pieces, you have to sew them – usually with a 1/4″ seam. If this seam isn’t accurate, your block will not turn out right, either. The final step is good pressing.
Pressing is the least obvious of these three, but just as important. I’ve taught classes where my students have come to me with blocks that were an inch short of their accurate finished size. They cut correctly, they stitched well, but they didn’t press accurately, and had lost fabric that was buried in an incorrectly pressed seam.
There is lots of controversy about pressing. The first is on pressing a seam open or to the side. There are benefits to each. Pressing a seam open results in a flatter seam area, and less bulk. Pressing to the side allows you to “stitch in the ditch” when quilting. Both are right. I switch the way I press depending on the project.
The second piece of controversy is about using steam. Some quilters say that if you use steam when pressing, you will distort your fabric, and your block. I don’t have this problem, and love pressing with steam. The more steam the better. I find that using steam to press results in a crisply pressed seam, without having to push down on the iron – and I find that is is the pressing down on the iron that results in distortion.
I also love steam for getting out wrinkles in clothing. Or fabric that has been folded up in my fabric stash. Steam presses quickly and crisply without a lot of effort or work on my part.
That is why I love my new iron! Hamilton Beach sent me their Durathon steam iron to try out. This sucker delivers an amazing amount of steam!
I was able to get such an amazing burst of steam that I could actually get the iron to “squeak” for me!
The delivery of this steam is also amazing. Here is a picture of my old iron, and the new Durathon. Check out how many more steam holes are on the soleplate!
You can tell which one is my old iron, right? The soleplate on the Durathon is also larger, and has a more narrow tip for working on smaller projects.
In the next week I’ll be sharing an ornament tutorial. I used the Durathon for this project, and check out how crisp my seams are thanks to the amazing steam from this iron!
The awesome folks at Hamilton Beach not only gave me one of these irons, they’re also letting me give one away! Leave a comment letting me know if you like to iron with steam or without, and use the entry form below for a chance to win this great iron! Giveaway ends Monday night (10/1/12) at midnight.
Comments & Reviews
with steam!
I would LOVE a new iron so much!!! This one looks great!
I always iron with steam – even when I am not supposed to. It’s one of those things that makes me feel better…weird, I know 🙂
With Steam
Looks like a good iron, but it doesnt look like all those divots in the plate are actually steam holes… but still more than the other/traditional iron. I’d take one!
I always iron with steam, it makes clothing beautiful.
Never tried steam. SOunds great!
Awesome!
With steam. Looks like a great iron. I really like the shape of it.
I usually use steam, I get nervous if I don’t use it, I know I’m weird 🙂
Steam! Although my old (and I mean OLD) iron doesn’t work well enough to get a good amount of steam.
Steam!
I always iron with steam – because I an not an ironer, and I don’t know how to do it without it! LOL!
Fantastic giveaway! I iron with steam.
I iron with steam.
I used to always steam – now, not so much…
This iron looks AWESOME…hope I win it!!!
It depends on what I’m ironing whether I steam or not. If I have seams that are being difficult or a lot of points meeting in a middle I always steam to get them flat. Thanks for such a great giveaway since I’ve been trying to decide what sort of iron to get since my cheapy Black and Decker is not working right anymore.
I mostly use steam but I’m careful not to move the iron across the fabric and distort it. Thanks for the chance to win!
with steam for sure… 🙂
With steam all the way!!! Sadly, my iron is lacking in this category. So ::fingers crossed:: I hope I win! =)
With Steam:)
I’m with you, the more steam the better. 🙂
With steam, so need a new iron-hubby started ironing his work pants but has trashed our iron 🙂
I need more steam!
g.dubois@comcast.net
No steam. But would love a new iron.
I used steam until I read its not good for the fabric… but I never actually had a problem with it. I would love a chance at a awesome steamy iron!
nydia@add-crafter.com
Definitely with steam! Sometimes I get lazy and don’t refill the iron right away when it’s empty, and it makes a huge difference!
It depends on what I’m pressing whether I like to use steam or not. I don’t usually use it when pressing quilt blocks, but I do if I’m just pressing the wrinkles out of fabric
Usually with steam!
Thank you so much for this post. I want to let you know that I posted a link to your blog in Creative Busy Bee Craft Inspirations, under the Page 1 post on Sep. 29, 2012. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for this post. I want to let you know that I posted a link to your blog in Creative Busy Bee Craft Inspirations, under the Page 1 post on Sep. 29, 2012. Thanks again.
I usually iron without steam, because my iron is so old, but I would love to try this one. Thanks.
Oh, I could certainly use this! My iron spits at me!!!
I like steam
Steam it!
I love this!! FX I win!!
I love the way steam leaves crisp seams and brightens the cloth. I wouldn’t mind winning, at all!
Sorry I miss this one I could of used a new iron. Popping in to say hi & glad we got a chance to meet @ Beblogalicious! I added you on G+ & Twitter off to check out some other posts before I have a webinar. Visiting from DearCreatives.com