Debbie-Alford-Quilting Designs

Press, don’t iron

Press, Don't Iron

I recommend that you press, not iron, your fabric, cuts and blocks:

What is pressing?
What is ironing?

Pressing is applying heat with the aim of flattening the yardage, cuts and blocks

Pressing is a downward motion without sideways movement

Ironing is rubbing the iron all over in multiple directions

Accurate pressing
Pressing video coming soon
Accurate pressing
Ironing video coming soon
Why should you press your fabric, cuts and blocks?
Why shouldn’t you iron your fabric, cuts and blocks?
  • Pressing will help you to prevent distortion of your fabric, cuts and blocks
  • If you do not distort your fabric, cuts and blocks, the blocks fit together accurately and your quilt will lay flat
  • Ironing is for clothing
  • Ironing may distort your fabric, cuts and blocks, which does not matter much for clothes that go onto curved bodies, but can make a big difference in quilts that are meant to lay flat
  • Bias edges pose particular issues if distorted