happy monday….
Today let’s chat about something that’s not super exciting, but needed when you quilt.
Ironing….. not on the top of my to-do list.
Pressing though. I can do that. Not only can I do it, there are a few products that are my favorite.
One of them is the iron itself. The other is the starch.
Do you have a favorite iron?
I’ve flipped back and forth with irons.
I’m pretty sure I’ve used them all.
Rowenta.
Cordless.
Oliso.
Long, mini iron.
You name it. It’s been in my hands.
Each of those has their good and bad about them.
Maybe you’ve seen that too and have ‘put up’ with some of the bad.
tips….
Here are a few tips that might help you in your pressing adventures.
▪ Don’t fill the iron with water. This is kind of crazy…because you think that you’ll miss the water and the steam. What happens though is the water in the iron causes a leaking problem after a bit and really— that is more disruptive than anything!
OR if you are loving the water in the iron, don’t store it with the water inside. Empty it after using it if you aren’t planning on using it again for a bit of time.
▪ Use a spray bottle. This is the partner to the one above. Using a spray bottle allows you to control the amount of water used.
▪ Use starch in your spray bottle. Whether the spray is homemade using essential oils so your fabric smells yummy, or you use a quilting spray (some of these smell yummy too) it doesn’t matter. Starch will help your bias edges stay put, your fabric because crinkle-free and your quilt tops will be more accurate or square.
▪ Watch the setting on your iron and the fabric you are ironing. Nothing is fun about melting the fabric, thread or applique glue all over the place because your iron was set on the hottest of hot settings.
What about size?
Pick the one iron size that will best meet your needs. Take a hold of them, make the pressing motion and make sure your arm isn’t going to fall off after a few swipes of the fabric.
Also- what are you using your iron for? If you are into tiny pieces of fabric and quilt blocks or applique pieces…you’ll want to check out the small head irons. They look like a big metal stick with a triangle pressing plate at the end. That would be perfect for what you’re looking for.
Maybe you are always packing on a retreat. Hauling your iron everywhere with you. You might want to check into a smaller, portable iron.
They aren’t super awesome …compared the big mother iron, but they do work for retreats just fine. They don’t take up a lot of space and are easy to handle at your sewing station.
For more info on the irons and what they can do visit here:
The difference between ironing and pressing
in the sewing room…
Sewing has continued…and wow- I am getting somewhere!
I was able to sew up the blocks into sections…with their spacer units and then put the large units together.
There were some adjustments made to the pattern (not major, but good ones to help with keeping things simple) along the way, but I am in love.
This is the largest pattern I believe I have ever designed…and the largest I may have ever sewn as well!
I am now sewing my way through the extra large number of half square triangles that are needed for borders.
Trimming is sooo not my favorite, but the blocloc ruler sure helps!
sew it…
Here are some projects that go right along with your iron:
Make a portable ironing board
Mini iron bag tutorial
Different ironing board stations
something fun…
Easiest Iron board cover tutorial Click here to read more…
Use your scraps for this cover! Click here to read more….
Sew up a bag to store your mini iron in. Click here to read more…
Ironing Board Stations- great ideas to keep them organized. Click here to read more…
Keep your ironing board organized with this hanging caddy. Click here to read more…
 |
 |
quilty chit chat…
There have been a few fun projects posted in the Quilting 101 fb group.
The Three’s Company – your blocks are flying in and they are sooo wonderful to see! Are you sewing along?
Join the group for free here.
– – – – – – – – –
For all the Round Robin editions- visit here.
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
Follow me here: Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube
Leave a Reply