Over the course of several weeks I have been asking my readers a series of sewing/quilting questions. This is the eighth one in the series. The questions are not meant to frustrate you or make you think hard. We all deal with those issues enough in our everyday lives. No, these questions are meant to be a fun. 🙂
Wrinkles are always an issue when it comes to fabric. There are many opinions as to the best way to conquer them. Today’s question has two parts:
Part One:
Do you try to get rid of fabric wrinkles?
Part Two: Which method do you use to tackle them and why?
- Do you use a dry iron?
- Do you use steam?
- Do you use starch?
- All of the above?
- None of the above?
- Other?
Given my overachiever, Miss Neatfreak tendencies I always tackle wrinkles head on. I use every method possible to overcome their persistence. First I try dry pressing. If that doesn’t work then I use steam. Wrinkles that don’t back down when attacked by steam are then spritzed with water from my trusty spray bottle. If that doesn’t accomplish my goal then I bring out the big guns…my trusty bottle of Best Press. I buy the stuff by the gallon. There are very few, and I mean few that will not give way to starch.
Now that I have spilled my guts and ranted and raved it’s your turn. Share with the whole world your “pressing,” pun intended, 🙂 habits.
I steam everything to death! LOL. I also use starch, Fabric finishers, Best Press (diluted 50-50 with water), even water. BUT, I’m not obsessive about it, because wrinkles happen and as long as they aren’t interfering with my getting an accurate cut, it isn’t really important to me. I have a few wrinkles of my own that nothing will take out. =)
LOL!! Well I don’t think I can help you with those!!!! 🙂 🙂
Hi Cindy. I seldom use steam but if a dry iron doesn’t work I use water in a spray bottle. I also use spray starch on stubborn seams to get them to lay flat. Another thing I have found that works very well for me is to use spray starch when I am folding and pressing my binding while ready it for sewing to the quilt. It seems to hold together better and look nicer when sewn down. Merry Christmas.
Peggy, I admire you for only using steam. I’ve tried doing that but have been so disappointed with the outcome. Awesome that you have been successful! Thank you so much for adding your thoughts to this conversation. Your willingness to participate is greatly appreciated. I just love hearing from my readers. Merry Christmas! 🙂
Good Morning Cindy!
I do whatever I can to get those darn wrinkles out, but I rarely use starch. I mostly rely on the steam iron unless I’m layering a quilt and then it’s a dry iron. I might have to give starch a try the next time I meet some hardcore wrinkles. They need to know who’s boss here. Merry Christmas to you and your family! ~smile~ Roseanne
Roseanne, Those stubborn wrinkles really do need to know who the boss is! Tame those rascals! Merry Christmas to you and yours! 🙂
I use steam and only a dry iron if there are specific instructions to do so. I only starch on special art quilts that I need very flat.
Tierney, Makes sense to me. Special fabrics need special treatment. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I love it when you add your comments! 🙂
In my attempt to obliterate all wrinkles, I do all of the above…sometimes more than once. I love the smell of lavender best press, so sometimes I over do the spritzing.
Chela, You know, I think what every works best for you is exactly the steps you should take. You go for it! Thank you for being honest and sharing your opinion! I love it when people take the time to do so! So awesome that your responded! 🙂
You ask great questions🙃
Chela, awe thank you! 🙂
I’ve always pressed with a steam iron. Recently I decided to try emptying my iron and switching to dry. But I have a misting bottle and tend to use that a lot! It seems to work better than a dry iron by itself, or steam generated by the iron. I don’t use starch very much. I hate the smell of the scented things (detergent, dryer sheets, fabric softener, starch…) But even if it were easier to find unscented starch, I wouldn’t use it a lot. Mostly it’s for fabrics that are quite flimsy, to stiffen them, not to flatten them.
Melanie, I’ve tried a dry iron too but have been absolutely disappointed with the results. A steam iron along with a spray bottle make awesome companions. I would agree with you on fragrances. I’m not a fan of all the scents they add to everything, including garbage bags. I avoid them like the plague. I order my unscented spray starch on-line. I use the starch for stubborn wrinkles and to add body. Thanks you so much for sharing your thoughts! I’m so glad that you did! 🙂