Just learning and have question

Silverfish, really?? I never knew that!! I dont use starch, not even when I iron clothes.
The only time I have ironed seams open was when I made a recycled blue jean quilt top....my LAQ said it would be to bulky in the seams if I ironed to one side.

The new patriotic block swap directions say to iron the seams open. I'm going to be starting on them this weekend...so I'll have to see how that is going to work out.

I like Mary Ellen's Best Press. No flaking and it doesn't attract bugs like I have heard starch does. I have read that several people even dilute it with water and are still happy with the results. I haven't tried that.

I don't think starch is necessary. Think about it. Every time you spray that starch the vapors are in the air and you're inhaling that stuff. Just using some steam is good enough. If you have any wrinkles you can't get out with the steam in the iron fill up a spray bottle with water and spray the fabric. I keep a spray bottle close by at all times. Works great! I read somewhere that starch helps keep bias fabrics from stretching but I don't even use it for that. If you're handling your fabrics gently and not pulling on them as they pass under the needle there should be no problem. If you haven't pre-washed it there is sizing already in your fabric. That's how the manufacturer gets it so crisp and smooth for the bolt. I never knew the reason for ironing the seams to one side other than it's difficult to get those little seams open and time consuming. It makes sense that it is done to keep the batting from working its way through the quilt top.

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Originally Posted by Mimis-quilts

:icon_tup:I've never used starch, just my steam iron. And don't press seams open because it allows the quilt batting to work it's way out. Be sure to press towards the darker fabric.

Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting and have fun with it!:icon_happy::icon_happy::icon_happy::icon_happy ::icon_happy::icon_happy::icon_happy:

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ii

Thank you Mimi for this information. I'm sewing for some years and always pressed the seams open. When starting to quilt I was taught otherwise, but nobody could tell me why the seams had to be pressed together. I understood why they had to be pressed to the darker side, but why they couldn't be pressed open.

Greetings from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

I'm another who's never used starch, even on bias cuts. I only use steam and it works wonderfully for setting seams and getting wrinkles out. As to opening seams, I press the seams open on my binding and occasionally on small pinwheels (to reduce bulk), but really I have much better results in matching seams and corners when I press to the side.

Welcome to quilting and to our little group!

I use the best press too. Mostly I just use steam. Years ago when I had home economics (showing my age) in school they taught us to press seams open. Today everyone presses to the dark side. That works for me. Have fun with your quilting.

Depending on what I'm working with at the time. If I'm working with bias I use "Best Press"(I use the Lavendar sent but they have other sents. I like the way it smells) But if I'm working with just squares or strips then I always use steam. I always press my seams to one side and usually it is towards the dark. I was taught to not press my seams open because the seams could pull apart in time.

Good Luck.

Lynne

I use starch cuz I use it on DBF's dress shirts and it's handy. I found that I became a better, more accurate "piecer" with it. I really should try the Best Press but I hate to spend the money. I wash all my quilts when I am done so I figure it washes out.

I use steam. I have never thought about using starch.