Pressing

Pressing

You can always get by with one basic iron, but quilters often work with yardage and small pieces. I can't count the number of times I've burned myself using a large iron for everything.

The Panasonic 360 Freestyle Cordless is my dream iron. It's expensive at $100, but I'd give my eye teeth to have it. I hate getting a cord caught on things and having an iron tip over or fall on the floor.

This Home and Away travel steam iron is perfect for fusible appliqué that has to be steam set. It's $24.99.

I have one of these and it's a godsend. The Clover Mini Iron II kit is $59.95, but you can buy the iron by itself and get the attachments you want later. The low setting is for fusing batting tape; the medium setting is for pressing seams; the high setting is for cutting templates.

 

 

Fabric Creaser: Cleaning vinegar is a fabric softener. It relaxes the fibers, allowing them to bend easily. Dawn detergent is a surfactant that allows water to penetrate fabric. Once the fabric is dry, the detergent will stiffen and hold the crease.

The formula is 2 parts vinegar to 1 part Dawn.

Put 2-3 drops of the crease solution into an empty 2mm Molotow chisel marker. Add distilled water and shake to combine. You have a fabric folding pen. You can use this solution with the original pen as well. You can also use it with a bone or plastic fabric creaser in place of marking with chalk.

How to Press

Old irons were made of cast iron and heated on a hearth or wood stove. They were so hot and heavy, they quickly scorched clothing if they weren't moved around. This pressing method continued with the use of the first electric irons and became instinctive over time. Today, we know that putting weight on the iron while moving it around is a mistake. Do not put any weight on the iron while pressing and do not move the iron from side to side near the edges. This will distort the fabric. Pressing is best done by holding the iron in place. This method is also known as "heat setting."

Ironing Blanket

Don't buy an ironing blanket; make one with Insul-Bright batting, Therma-Flec heat reflective quilted fabric and 1-1/2 yards of quilting fabric.

1 yard of Therma-Flec

1 yard package of Insul-Bright

1-1/2 yards of quilting fabric

 

Cut 2-1/2" binding strips out of the extra 1/2 yard of fabric. Cut the Iron Quick fabric down to 36-1/2 x 44-1/2". You'll have plenty left over for other projects. Iron your fabric and make a sandwich with the quilting fabric on the bottom,  Insul-Bright in the middle, shiny side down, and Iron Quick on the top. Don't quilt it; just bind it.

You can make small pads to keep at your machine as well.

Pressing and Cutting Board

 

Cut out a piece of stiff cardboard 18x24". Spray Craft Bond adhesive on one side. Adhere a layer of cotton batting and press to bond. Spray the batting and add another layer. Spray that layer and adhere flannel or Iron Quick fabric with enough overlap to fold over and stick to the other side. Spray the other side and adhere a 12x15" flexible cutting mat to it. Keep it beside your sewing machine. When you iron sewn pieces, do it on the fabric side. When you trim fabric, do it on the mat side. This is great for paper piecing.

Painting and Fusible Ironing Board

 

Cut out a piece of stiff cardboard 18x24". Spray Craft Bond adhesive on one side. Adhere cling wrap and press to bond. Trim edges with scissors. Spray the other side and adhere parchment paper to it. Trim the edges. Stick clear packing tape, half lengthwise on the plastic side. Fold over and stick to the paper side. Cut off the ends. Do this on all four sides. When you paint, glue or brush varnish on fabric, do it on the plastic side. When you iron fusible web, do it on the paper side.

Tips

1) Leave the selvage intact for pressing to prevent fabric distortion. Cut it off only after the fabric is pressed.

2) Don't bother with special Teflon pressing sheets for fusing. Use baking parchment instead.

3) Keep your irons clean with Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner or Citra Solv. Remove residue with a baby wipe. Dry with a lint free cloth. Clean the iron before each use.

4) Spray the back of your ironing blanket with craft adhesive to prevent it from slipping. Wash with 1 tablespoon of Citra Solv to remove the adhesive.

5) Press quilt seams open to reduce bulk and allow the blocks to lie flat. Pressing to the dark side only applies to hand quilting. The thick seam will damage a sewing or quilting machine.