Do you iron your quilt tops?

[Bernadette]

To make all the seam edges lie nice and flat, before making the "sandwich"? Or do you use a seam-presser? I've been toying with the idea of getting a mini iron http://www.clover-usa.com/en/mini-iron/532-mini-iron.html to make the job easier, but I'd rather not be so dependent on another gadget... I'm conflicted.

[Lynne]

Yes but I iron as I go along, as blocks are joined, as rows are joined, etc.

I wouldn't find a mini-iron helpful for that.

By the the time the top is finished, you're just giving it a final pressing.

[Bernadette]

I'm too lazy to iron as I go.  Plus, I'm working with such tiny seams and pieces. I do make doll clothes for my doll collection, too, so maybe a mini iron would be worth it...

[verenaerin]

I do the same a Lynne. Every seam is pressed as I go along.

[MundaCorMeum]

I'm only working on my third quilt ever right now, and the second one wasn't even pieced....i just quilted two crib sized pieces of fabric and batting together, so my experience hardly carries much weight. But, I do the same as Lynne as Verena....I iron as I go.

[Lynne]

But, the quilt police are not going to inspect your top before you sandwich it! 

So, whatever floats your boat...

[Greg]

I don't iron much at all.

Formal wear, holiday money, transfers onto T-shirts.  That's about it.  We hang stuff straight and let gravity get the creases out.

[Bernadette]

Oh, I don't iron much, either. But I make an exception for the quilt top before adding the batting and backing.

[Carleendiane]

I actually like the puckering and such. On a quilt, not my clothes.

[verenaerin]

I actually like the puckering and such. On a quilt, not my clothes.

That happens when you don't prewash the material and batting, sew and quilt the whole thing, then wash and dry it. The cotton shrinks and gives the puckered effect.