1. Choose the right temperature – No steam, no drama
The right temperature and avoiding steam can work wonders. Cotton fabrics need to be hot, so give your iron the best ironing power. I have personally found that dry ironing makes the seams wonderfully flat without the fabric stretching out. Dry ironing sounds too easy to be true? Try it out and be amazed at the crisp edges!
Exception: If your block is a bit stubborn, give it a burst of steam or a spray bottle and pull it back into shape. Voilá!
2. An ironing board that is more than just a board
A good ironing board is like a loyal friend - it won't let you down. With a decent size and a padded base, every ironing session will be a breeze. And if you fancy a little "spa feeling", try a wool mat. Not only does it retain heat better, it also smells wonderfully of nature - as long as you like the smell of wet sheep!
3. Press, don’t rub – your seams will thank you
Forget how your grandma ironed shirts. When it comes to quilting, pressing is the new ironing. Why? Because you respect the seams instead of tugging at them. Press gently on the seam and then lift the iron again straight away - this preserves the integrity of your fabrics (diagonal cut edges, I'm looking at you!) and your nerves.
4. Step by step to the big picture
Iron your seams immediately after sewing and before the next step. It's like a sliding puzzle - one piece at a time! The bigger your seam landscape becomes on the back, the harder it is to get to individual seams. This can drive you crazy. But it won't happen to you, because you'll do it right the first time and your quilt will thank you with an even appearance.
5. Backside Heroes
When you iron your seams from the back, everything stays where it belongs. It's almost like working behind the scenes in a theater - invisible, but crucial to the result.
6. Place stitches while sitting
Before you get out the iron, use your finger or a seam roller directly on the sewing machine. Unfortunately, this means you won't have to do your stand-up-sit-down-stand-up workout, but it will save time and your seams will know roughly what they should do before they even step onto the ironing board.
7. Extra trick for extra stars
The seams also need to be in place. The best way to do this is to iron the seam once without opening it, just as it was sewn. The seams then sink into the fabric like a warm knife in butter. A magic trick for that last bit of precision.
8. Action!
Now it's your turn! Grab your iron and one of your quilt blocks and try these tips. You'll see how your seams suddenly play along - flat, precise and ready for any quilt show.
And if you're looking for more tips and tricks for your quilting projects, check back here regularly. Together we can turn every quilt into a masterpiece!
