Do you sometimes end up with blocks that are not quite square and could even be considered skewed? It happens, but there are ways to avoid the dreaded block skewing. Let me help you.

Transform your Quilts: Insider Tips on Pressing Fabric

Ironing

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of ironing is “the activity of making clothes flat and smooth using an iron.” All dictionary definitions seem to include the ironing of “clothes” and not fabric, but oh well.

In my opinion, ironing is the process of using a heated iron to move across the fabric to remove wrinkles in any direction or fashion.

Pressing

Pressing, on the other hand, is a totally different thing. According to The Quilt Show, pressing is defined as “pressing the iron down, with or without steam, and picking it up before moving.” This is an excellent definition of pressing. The key here is “before moving.”

Remember those skewed blocks we were talking about at the beginning, those skewed blocks result from either using steam, ironing, or using steam and ironing. They do not happen by mistake. In fact they frequently happen due to the ironing motion especially with blocks cut on the bias like triangles.

Tools

In addition to pressing your blocks, a couple of tools can greatly help your blocks. They are a Tailor’s Clapper and a Wool Pressing Mat.

A Tailor’s Clapper is a solid piece of wood that you use after pressing to further press the seam flat. Do not just lay the Clapper on top because it needs a little elbow grease to really work, so press down firmly. 

A Wool Pressing Mat will also help flatten your blocks. Before I go further, please do not go cheap here. If you spend the money to buy quality mats like Gypsy Quilter, you will buy a high quality mat that will not smell like wet sheep after using. I hear people complaining about this all the time. I have had my mats since 2018 and have never experienced that smell.

Wool Pressing Mats come in a variety of sizes all the way up to mats that will cover your entire ironing board, so there are lots to choose from.

Using a Wool Pressing Mat and Clapper will result in really flat seams.

Starch and Starch Alternatives

You can also use starch or starch alternatives to help flatten your fabric too. When I say starch alternatives I’m referring to Mary Ellen’s Best Press or Flatter. I have used both starch alternatives and starch and I like starch the best. 

My Final Thoughts

So you now know that ironing does not equal pressing and you have a few tools you can look for to add to your sewing space. Skewed blocks are really frustrating and frequently difficult to sew into a final quilt. Get used to pressing and help transform your blocks.

I send out a weekly email full of all things quilting including tutorials, tips and more. Join us and be the first to know when I have new offers. I have some exciting changes coming soon, so get on the list now so you won’t miss out. Click here to join now and get my Free Guide, The Top 5 Tools Every Beginner Quilter Needs. See you on the inside.

For more helpful quilting tips and tricks, make sure you follow me on YouTube,and Pinterest.