What a difference an iron makes...

Boy, I guess I'm spoiled!

I took a class last week (Jackie Robinson's Frank LLoyd Wright quilts --
loads of fun), and I was having all kinds of trouble with my piecing. I was
one frustrated camper. I was thinking to myself it was because I was sewing
multiple seams and then pressing to one side, where normally I sew one seam
and press it open. (I've learned if a teacher wants stuff pressed to one
side, it's not worth it to argue, because any problem I have will then be
blamed on pressing seams open.)

I got home and DH was all enthused about the quilt, so I worked on it some
more. And suddenly everything was behaving! At first I thought it was the
open vs. one side issue, but I realized that I took a class a couple of
months earlier where I pressed to one side and had no trouble. So why was
this class different?

Suddenly, it dawned on me. The earlier class I was using my own iron. The
recent class I was using someone else's iron, which was not very hot (and
produced almost no steam, despite being a steam generator). Wowie, what a
difference it makes to have an iron that gets hot enough! Now I'm kicking
myself, because I had my iron with me, and it seemed like there were plenty
of irons in class so I didn't set it up. Next time I'll know better.

--
Kathy A. (Woodland, CA)
longarm machine quilting, Queen of Fabric Tramps
http://www.kayneyquilting.com ,
remove the obvious to reply

Hey Kathy:

Yes, a good iron does make a difference. I was having trouble with my
applique pieces. My steam iron would live "dimples" after I pressed the
pieces. I knew I needed "dry" iron. I searched everywhere for just one, no
luck. I went to a street fair and found one that was made in 1936 and it
still worked. Only 9 dollars and I walked away with it. My applique pieces
are now pressed with a hot iron and come out perfect.

Kate T.
South Mississippi

"Kathy Applebaum" wrote in message
. ..
Boy, I guess I'm spoiled!

I took a class last week (Jackie Robinson's Frank LLoyd Wright quilts --
loads of fun), and I was having all kinds of trouble with my piecing. I
was
one frustrated camper. I was thinking to myself it was because I was
sewing
multiple seams and then pressing to one side, where normally I sew one
seam
and press it open. (I've learned if a teacher wants stuff pressed to one
side, it's not worth it to argue, because any problem I have will then be
blamed on pressing seams open.)

I got home and DH was all enthused about the quilt, so I worked on it some
more. And suddenly everything was behaving! At first I thought it was the
open vs. one side issue, but I realized that I took a class a couple of
months earlier where I pressed to one side and had no trouble. So why was
this class different?

Suddenly, it dawned on me. The earlier class I was using my own iron. The
recent class I was using someone else's iron, which was not very hot (and
produced almost no steam, despite being a steam generator). Wowie, what a
difference it makes to have an iron that gets hot enough! Now I'm kicking
myself, because I had my iron with me, and it seemed like there were
plenty
of irons in class so I didn't set it up. Next time I'll know better.

--
Kathy A. (Woodland, CA)
longarm machine quilting, Queen of Fabric Tramps
http://www.kayneyquilting.com ,
remove the obvious to reply

Okay, you sold me! g What is this wonderful iron?

--Heidi


"Kathy Applebaum" wrote in message
. ..
Boy, I guess I'm spoiled!

Suddenly, it dawned on me. The earlier class I was using my own iron. The
recent class I was using someone else's iron, which was not very hot (and
produced almost no steam, despite being a steam generator). Wowie, what a
difference it makes to have an iron that gets hot enough! Now I'm kicking
myself, because I had my iron with me, and it seemed like there were
plenty
of irons in class so I didn't set it up. Next time I'll know better.

--
Kathy A. (Woodland, CA)
longarm machine quilting, Queen of Fabric Tramps
http://www.kayneyquilting.com ,
remove the obvious to reply

Actually, I had a similar experience recently. Went to class with my 28mm
rotary cutter, as required. Instructor didn't like that kind because of
visibility, so lent some of us cutters of her own. Argh. Dull blades. I
struggled and struggled on Drunkard's Path kinds of pieces. Came home and
did it with my 28mm with not much problem, but absolutely sailed through
them with my18mm cutter.

--Heidi

" Suddenly, it dawned on me. The earlier class I was using my own iron. The
recent class I was using someone else's iron, which was not very hot (and
produced almost no steam, despite being a steam generator). Wowie, what a
difference it makes to have an iron that gets hot enough! Now I'm kicking
myself, because I had my iron with me, and it seemed like there were
plenty
of irons in class so I didn't set it up. Next time I'll know better.

--
Kathy A. (Woodland, CA)
longarm machine quilting, Queen of Fabric Tramps
http://www.kayneyquilting.com ,
remove the obvious to reply

"hfw" wrote in message
...
Okay, you sold me! g What is this wonderful iron?

It happens to be a Rowenta, but when I bought it I did a lot of research and
discovered that the wattage is more important than the brand. (Well, also
the internal temperature regulator, but you can't find out how that's set.)

I had previously had a 1200 watt iron I didn't think was hot enough, so I
got a 1440 watt for home and an 1800 watt for work. Both are PLENTY hot,
believe you me!

--
Kathy A. (Woodland, CA)
longarm machine quilting, Queen of Fabric Tramps
http://www.kayneyquilting.com ,
remove the obvious to reply

With an iron like that, think of the added benefit of the muscle building in
your arm. The downside is you will have to work the other or you will look
lop-sided! VBG

--
Sugar & Spice Quilts by Linda E
http://community.webshots.com/user/frame242

"nana2b" wrote in message
...
With an iron like that, think of the added benefit of the muscle building
in
your arm. The downside is you will have to work the other or you will
look
lop-sided! VBG

Ah, but I already have a longarm. Unless I get another one, I'll be
lopsided anyways! ROFLOL

--
Kathy A. (Woodland, CA)
longarm machine quilting, Queen of Fabric Tramps
http://www.kayneyquilting.com ,
remove the obvious to reply