When I started quilting again in late September I quit using steam. I think my Rowenta had been dropped one time too many as it started spitting and occasionally spewing gunky water where I didn't care to have it. I cleaned it, but think it was too late.
I read raves about Mary Ellen's Best Press and how using a spray bottle of water was better than steam. I have both handy and use them on occasion. Other than ironing fabric for a NewFO (which doesn't happen a lot around here!) I'm not sure exactly when to use to use starch.
Just before Christmas my Rowenta started smelling like it was burning. I didn't have a lot of time to decide on a new iron so went with a mid-level $$ Black & Decker Digital Advantage. I don't love it like my Rowenta, but I like it fine. I use it mostly dry, but will bust out the steam when needed. Mainly to press a quilt top before sandwiching it. And, I'm obeying it when I get the CLEAN message on the display!
I also sewed over pins ALL the time. My Pfaff never seemed to mind, I never broke a needle and rarely bent a pin. I like to use the extra fine pins so that might have helped. Both Jukis are not so pin friendly...
Are you addicted to steam, a fan of starch or do you sew over pins? Do tell! I'm linking up at...
I hadn't tried pins with the Juki yet. Thanks for the warning. I am a pinner too, so I hope I can break the habit.
ReplyDeleteI love steam! And would use starch too...because
ReplyDeleteEllen's Best smells so good. I like to hover over the steam and take in the fresh scent. However, I usually only use starch when biased edges are an issue.
Pins....I avoid using them at all....although they are useful when doing fiddley piecing.
I love steam and the starch alternative spray -- I don't know that you are supposed to use them together but I do like the way that my room smells afterward. I have a viking and never sew over my pins unless I am doing a curved piece but I try then to not sew over them. I do however need a new iron so any tips are welcome
ReplyDeleteI love to use starch when I am doing a job that is on the bias. I love to have the fabric crisp so that I know that it will not move under the sewing machine needle. I am doing more dry ironing than before just because a steam can make your strips stretch some. As for the pins, I love to pin but now if I am sewing across the block, like in your picture, I pin going along the sew line. My fabric still stays in place and I don't have to remove the pins until I am done with the sewing part.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, just found your blog and enjoy looking at all that you have done. Great job.
I like steam. I usually keep the steam setting somewhere in the middle. I have an old Rowenta that I've had for over 10 years. Dropped a few times. I don't know what I'll do if it ever dies.
ReplyDeleteI don't use starch a ton. Usually only on tricky bias seams. When I hand stitched a hexagon and diamond quilt I used lots of starch. Otherwise - meh.
Pins, I never sew over pins. Ever. I've broken needles, and have had the tip fly at me! It also dulls your needle if you hit them. I just pull them out of the way.
I like steam too but for some reason quilters in my area think it stretches the fabric and I got out of the habit of using it for pressing seams.
ReplyDeleteI use steam most of the time because I like it flat. Starch only when dealing with bias. And never sew over pins.....ditto the comment above because a needle broke and flew towards me a long time ago. I also steam edges after binding if there is any wavy areas. See steam can be useful!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. Visiting from really random thursday. i just don't pin!! I have never used starch but see that it could be amazing
ReplyDeleteWhat's a pin? LOL!
ReplyDeleteThat's how rarely I use them. But I starch the back side of each block when I press it and everything lies so nicely and flattens down.
I seem to use steam, unless I run out of water and am too lazy to refill! I also know a thing or two about bent pins as my Janome doesn't care for them.
ReplyDeleteI use both the water and the Best Press (helps control bias). My Rowenta has been on its "last legs" for a while. Dread the thought of buying a new iron. Probably will go the B&D route, too. I do not sew over pins. I use a bamboo skewer as a stiletto. I really don't want to spend $$ repairing my machines....and you are so right about Juki machines and pins...my Juki will hit every pin, I am sure!!!
ReplyDeleteSo funny to read this...I've been trying to use pins less as well and I just tried Best Press for the first time last week after friends have raved about it. I love how crisp and flat it makes everything - works much better than plain water or steam for me!
ReplyDeleteI still sew over pins sometimes. I find that if I pull them out as I sew, I pull the fabrics a little out of whack. Of course, a normal person would STOP sewing, pull out the pin and then continue. But I am all pedal to the metal around here. Lately I've been pinning in a way that the pin tips will fall just short of the 1/4 inch area I plan to sew.
ReplyDeleteI love steam. The Best Press is awesome on shot cottons because they need a bit more body and it works just great. I found that the best thing is to use the Best Press before I cut them out. And I sew over pins. Oops...
ReplyDelete