Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Steady Betty

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One thing I forgot to mention when I was talking about making quarter square triangle units, is that I like to press that center seam open.  You have enough bulk going on with the two opposing seams in the half square triangles.  Pressing that center seam open makes things lie much flatter.  Good for the overall look of the piece, and very helpful in making things lie flat when you trim up the block unit with your square up ruler.

If you look at the bottom of the photo, you will see a tag affixed to the pressing board I am using.  This is the Steady Betty pressing board, a super firm board that gives you a wonderful surface for achieving a marvelously flat press with your iron.   I use a little silicone mat on top of the board as well which seems to help my iron glide over things better.  If you use the Steady Betty board without the silicone mat, the fuzzy surface of the board is excellent for holding things exactly in place if that is what you need.

This little pressing board is something I have used for a couple of years and have really liked.  If you are interested in a cool notion, this gadget is worth the money.  It is absolutely essential if you do appliqué pressing.  Try it, you will love it.

18 responses to “Steady Betty”

  1. YOu learn something everyday. I have never heard of Steady Betty but it looks great. I have leaned to press open seams. I agree- it does help smooth things out!
    mary

  2. YOu learn something everyday. I have never heard of Steady Betty but it looks great. I have leaned to press open seams. I agree- it does help smooth things out!
    mary

  3. YOu learn something everyday. I have never heard of Steady Betty but it looks great. I have leaned to press open seams. I agree- it does help smooth things out!
    mary

  4. The extra few minutes it takes to press seams open really pays off in the finished product. That silicone mat is interesting!

  5. The extra few minutes it takes to press seams open really pays off in the finished product. That silicone mat is interesting!

  6. The extra few minutes it takes to press seams open really pays off in the finished product. That silicone mat is interesting!

  7. LOVE my Steady Betty…bought one after you recommended it. I use a small one in the car for applique. ;p

  8. LOVE my Steady Betty…bought one after you recommended it. I use a small one in the car for applique. ;p

  9. LOVE my Steady Betty…bought one after you recommended it. I use a small one in the car for applique. ;p

  13. Nicole, are you using a baking silicone sheet? Great idea but my sheets don’t look that that lol

  14. Nicole, are you using a baking silicone sheet? Great idea but my sheets don’t look that that lol

  15. Nicole, are you using a baking silicone sheet? Great idea but my sheets don’t look that that lol

  16. I am also wondering about the silicone mat. Can you tell us what brand it is, and where to get one?

  17. I am also wondering about the silicone mat. Can you tell us what brand it is, and where to get one?

  18. I am also wondering about the silicone mat. Can you tell us what brand it is, and where to get one?