Pressing Techniques and Tools

I can not stress how important pressing is, so I will list as many pressing techniques that I feel will be helpful. Not taking this step as you sew, will make the difference between a project that is okay and a project that is fabulous.You will not regret getting in the habit.
Ironing is when you glide along the fabric to remove wrinkles. Pressing is lifting the iron up and down on the seams, pleats and darts to flatten the seam. Lifting the iron up and down will create a finished flat seam.

The stitches are being pressed to even them out. Your project will look much more professional and you will take more pride in what you have made.

I recommend after every seam you have stitched, take the time to press the seam flat, before you sew the next seam. The reason I do this, is to get in the habit of pressing and it makes the task of getting into tight corner easier.

Below I have listed some very handy pressing tools and what their specific use is.

Steam Iron

Most of us already have an iron around your home for pressing and ironing our clothes. However, I have found it is helpful to have an iron exclusively in my sewing area. It is always at my fingertips. If you purchase a new iron for sewing, think about choosing An iron that has steam on all the settings. Steam is crucial when your pressing, but not all fabrics can handle the high temperatures.

Tailors Ham

A tailor's ham is used for pressing darts, sleeves caps and shoulder area, and hip areas. Any rounded seams. This tools looks soft, but it is quite hard, to give a stable pressing surface. I found when I first tried my pressing techniques out on this tool it was awkward, but the more you use it, the better you get.

There are two kinds of tailor hams.

The photo on the left is larger and the one on the right is a mitt style and a visually smaller.

Press Cloth

Press cloths protect the fabric. They eliminate iron shine on finer fabrics.

Be sure to test your pressing techniques on scrap fabric. Pressing cloths are good tools to keep fabric safe, but they are not always necessary on all fabrics.

Use this cloth when you are applying fusible interfacing. The tacking substance from the the interfacing can leave a residue on your iron. interfacing can leave residue on your iron.

You do not have to purchase a pressing cloth, although they are very easy to find at your fabric stores.

You can use a clean old white flannel sheet or thick cotton cloth, or white towel.

Sleeve Roll or Seam Roll

Known to sewers by both names. A sleeve roll is a cylindrical padded tube, used for sleeves and pant legs.

You can also use as an alternative for this pressing tool, a wooden dowel or pvc pipe wrapped in a towel.

Sleeve Board and clapper

Sleeve boards look like two mini ironing boards attached on top of each other. It is used for narrow garment pieces such as sleeves and necklines. This is a very handy tool, but it does take up space, so if your sewing space is limited, consider using a sleeve roll instead.

In the photo, on top of the sleeve board, is a clapper,it is wooden and produces crisp, flat seams. Originally used on woollens, but is useful for synthetic fabrics that can't stand high heat.