No Heat Pressing Tools

Who says you need an iron to create beautifully pressed quilt seams? There are plenty of surprisingly effective ways to press your seams without ever plugging in an iron. We’ve put together a guide of no-heat pressing methods for your quilt seams that will have you reaching for these no-heat pressing tools even when traditional irons are available. 

 

When do you use no-heat pressing methods?

You might be in a place where you can quilt, but an iron just isn’t possible or using heat for your fabrics isn’t ideal. Think about traveling and attending a retreat where irons are scarce or you’re in a space where they’re not allowed. They’re also perfect for sewing with kids that want to be independent but aren’t ready to handle an iron without help. Another time to use no-heat pressing is with delicate fabrics that might be damaged by heat. Even if you’re using an iron for most of your project, no-heat alternatives are great for quick touch-ups when you’re in the middle of something and don’t want to constantly move back and forth to your ironing station.

 

The best part? You probably already have some of these tools in your sewing kit, and the others are affordable add-ons. No more waiting for an iron to heat up or worrying about burnt fingers. You’ll have beautiful, crisp seams anytime, anywhere.

 

Top Tools We Recommend for No-Heat Pressing

 

Fabric Fold Pen

One of the most innovative solutions is the fabric fold pen, which contains a special pressing solution in its felt tip. By simply running the pen along your seam line, you dampen the fabric fibers just enough to allow them to be finger-pressed into a crisp, flat seam. The moisture helps the fabric hold its shape as it dries, creating results nearly as effective as traditional ironing. For best results with open seams, apply the solution to both sides of the fabric before finger pressing.

Acorn Easy Press Fabric Treatment

A slight different version is the Acorn Easy Press Fabric Treatment, which offers greater precision with its dual-tip design. The chisel tip is perfect for creating sharp edges on intricate blocks, while the rounded tip glides smoothly along curved seams. Like the fabric fold pen, it uses a liquid solution to relax fabric fibers, making them more pliable for pressing.

Violet Craft Seam Roller

For those times when you need to avoid moisture altogether, use the Violet Craft Seam Roller. It’s a weighted tool featuring a smooth-rolling wheel to apply consistent pressure to flatten seams through mechanical force, aka elbow grease. But don’t think you have to press hard! We love it for foundation paper piecing projects and for quick pressing during chain piecing sessions.

While these tools may not completely replace your iron for all quilting tasks, each method has its particular strengths. Take a little time and experiment with them to figure out which works best for specific projects and your personal quilting style. With these no-heat pressing tools on hand, you’ll never have to compromise on your seams just because an iron isn’t available.

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