#1 WAY TO MAKE YOUR SEWING LOOK MORE PROFESSIONAL... plus (spoiler!) 3 tips on pressing and ironing!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I hope you enjoyed this one, leave me a comment and tell me what was your biggest take away? And, who's on the 'Press as you go' band wagon with me??

[@annag9873]

I'm surprised at the people that dont iron/press. I dont have a pressing ham but have used glass jars when I really needed to work on a difficult curve.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Now I've never thought of that!! I'll remember that one fir nect time I'm in a jam! 🤣❤ Thanks for the tip!

[@suek7086]

I press, press, press.

[@beverlygibson3546]

Over 50 years ago, my seventh grade home economics teacher had us make tailor hams. I gave it to my older sister. Two years ago, I asked if she still had it. (She doesn't sew any more.) She did! She sent it to me and I use it all the time. Excellent tool!!!

[@Escape10mom]

I have both! They really work so much better than just pressing on a flat board.

[@TheWanderingWife]

In my opinion, there are TWO biggest steps to making your sewing look professional, and they are pressing and understitching. I’m always surprised at how few people understitch, and it makes SUCH a difference

[@Tysca_]

Lol, I just learned understitching and immediately Google "why don't we understitch everything???" and found no compelling answers other than "... forgot to"

[@sharronwolfe7711]

Back in the late 60’s when I was taking Home Ec in high school, our teacher preached pressing as you go, and she made sure we did! Ha! We tailored coats of imported wool, and she taught us line and inter line with horse hair. I went to a very small high school, but our teacher was the best around! Once our garments were complete we took them to a cleaners and had them professionally pressed which was another added step that really made our garments look very professional!

[@merindymorgenson3184]

Sharron Wolfe what an amazing home Ec teacher you must have had. I always say that the once class I’ve ever taken that I have used the most in “real life” was home Ec. We were taught to cook and bake and sew, and home budgeting, home planning, mise en place (sp?), and so on. So many life lessons that I’ve come back to over and over again.

[@sharronwolfe7711]

Merindy Morgenson she was exceptional for a small school in southern rural Oklahoma. I’ll never forget her and was sooo blessed to have her!

[@merindymorgenson3184]

Sharron Wolfe oh, now I have to know where you went! Maybe it’s an Oklahoma thing to have great home Ec teachers. I was in a small town just north of Weatherford called Thomas.

[@sharronwolfe7711]

Merindy Morgenson oh my! I grew up in a tiny town between Ada and Durant! The town is Clarita, and is now a bicultural town with a lot of Amish farm families who started moving there in 1978. We left after college in 1973. We started college at OSU (go POKES! 🧡) but after my husband changed majors we switched to Southeastern in Durant. We married young! Ha! Are you still in Oklahoma?

[@merindymorgenson3184]

I’ve definitely heard of Clarita! My parents are in Oklahoma still and my sister. My husband and I brought our family to Bangladesh to work for a healthcare NGO. We’ll be back for a furlough sometime this summer, if the corona virus situation permits travel.

[@_______________2192]

The difference between ironing and pressing 3:34 Press as you go 4:43 Press seams in the correct directions 6:38 Use pressing hams 10:04

[@robinchildofgod5]

My mother told me that the iron is the most important part of sewing. More important than the sewing machine, as you can hand sew. Press every seam before moving on. Learned this in the 70's. Love your videos!

[@christinesayers5205]

Robin Newman k

[@bettyvargas3138]

Another tip is to iron your pattern pieces also. I make a big differnts in cutting out your pattern. Also iron your fabric good also. My sewing teacher taught us iron, iron, iron everything when you sew.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes!!! Too many times I know I used wrinkly, screwed up patterns with poor results, before I learned you can iron them!

[@LuvMyCardiKids]

Absolutely! It was a game changer when I started ironing my patterns.

[@TaDarling1]

I agree. The fabric just looks so much better after ironing. The first thing I do after laundering any new fabric is to iron it so that when I cut out pattern pieces, there are no wrinkles or creases that I end up cutting over. Then, I press my individual pattern pieces after I serge them with an overlocker.

[@Joe-ho6fo]

Tried this but the patterns always stay wrinkled. What am I doing wrong?

[@danaonlineable]

@@Joe-ho6fo if I'm going to using a pattern over and over I iron on an iron on interfacing to the pattern or use another type of paper and remake the pattern. Of course this only makes sense on patterns i want to reuse or are more intricate.

[@lissyemmy]

In recent months, I have come to appreciate how helpful a presscloth (or a clean white dish towel) can be when working with delicate fabrics. You wouldn't think a single thin layer of material would make much of a difference, but it really helps protect your fabric during the pressing process.

[@en1909s9iah]

and about pressing, it's always better to underpress it, and keeping the temperature of your iron lower than you think it's needed.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

DEFINETLY!!!! 😄

[@charlieloxely1829]

When you say “underpress,” what do you mean, please? Does it mean press less, or press something under (inside?) the garment. Ta.

[@en1909s9iah]

@@charlieloxely1829 press with less pressure, and with a lower temperature. perhaps press longer than you would with a higher temperature, higher temperatures tend to create shiny spots on the fabric.

[@DuskinOracle]

@@en1909s9iah I had no idea. Do you know why?

[@en1909s9iah]

@@DuskinOracle I think it changes the structure of fibers and flattens them, like when you press velvet. Like straightening hair but in a microscope scale. Better steam it than hard pressing.

[@thefairguin]

I have worked for 6 years as a professional seamstress in two different university theatrical costume shops, as well as a decade or more of self-taught sewing at home before that. I also now have a small crafty business that involves a lot of sewing. I am particularly known for my alteration and fitting work. Press as you go is most definitely the Make it or break it step in most sewing that I've done, especially tailoring and alterations. In fact, at this point I find that I have trouble even being able to make sense of a garment or what my next step might be until I have pressed my previous step. Trying to work with seems that are not pressed open or crisply turned facings is so impossibly difficult. You think you are gonna save yourself time and energy by skipping the pressing step but you won't. You will overwhelmingly spend more time fighting to get the next step right if you have not pressed in between. In the costume shop that I worked in the longest we used to sit or stand at our ironing station to pin our seams before we took them to the sewing machine. We used to all joke about how when you're sewing only 15% of the time are you actually at the sewing machine, the other 85% of the time you're at the ironing board.

[@Tiffs80sdream]

I dont know the first thing about sewing, but I just love Evelyn and adore her passion for the work that brings her joy. This was a great video!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Aww that's so sweet, thanks for watching!! ❤

[@tammyhayes2387]

Yes copy that...plus I wish she'd do a nail tutorial...her nails are gorgeous!

[@tammyhayes2387]

Yes copy that...plus I wish she'd do a nail tutorial...her nails are gorgeous!

[@louisea.sanfacon4323]

I have not been sewing for around thirty years, but watching your beautifuly designed KZbin channel is a real treat. You are adorable, I love your look and you are an excellent teacher. If I had the time, I would go back to sewing for the sole pleasure of transforming finds from the thrift store into pretty retro-inspired outfits, as you do. Thank you for your videos and I wish you the best succes with your online school!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thankyou! I hope you do make something fun for yourself! 😀

[@pdxcyn]

I got my tailor's ham at an estate sale, and later got the sleeve roll at a thrift store. They don't match, but who cares. I only regret that I struggled for so long without them.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Me too!! 😂 I wish someone told me about them!

[@tunnasch]

Great reminder. I don't have those.

[@belindarichardson5349]

The dress I am most proud of I follow the instructions exactly including ironing every single time it said to and it turned so much nicer than other things I've made. I will press from here on in 😁

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yay!! It makes such a difference right!! All your dresses will turn out nice 😄

[@dawn8293]

Ironing: removes wrinkles Pressing: adds wrinkles on purpose

[@anneelias5610]

I was taught to sew when I was 12 and pressing was ingrained. I've recently have started sewing again and the first things I bought to add to my tool kit was the pressing hams! Thank you for a awesome video!

[@johannakerns2107]

I grew up with women still ironing and starching hankies and napkins and bed sheets! My mom would put damp clothes in the refrigerator until she could iron. I really was not a fan of the hours spent, so I balked at the idea of pressing as I' started sewing. However, I admit that I like the results when I press! I've found having my ironing area easily accessible helps a lot, so that's a great tip. And I do believe that now that I know that pressing is different than ironing, it will help my mental outlook even more!

[@fredadufaur2218]

Thank you Evelyn. Our mum taught us to test the temperature, starting ironing low and feeling the fabric as it heats. This way as soon as it’s the right temperature for that fabric you can fix the heat switch setting to that point. Irons’ thermostats can vary quite markedly, especially for blended synthetics & silks.

[@rodentary]

I learned mostly on my own and have to say pressing is an art. It takes time to learn and i am still on this process.

[@pshewitt13]

One thing to add....always have a pressing cloth and a spray bottle of water. The pressing cloth has saved me from burning fabric so many times! The spray bottle helps if you press in a wrinkle by accident and need to get it out before it sets

[@joannecarroll5504]

Never a truer word spoken, Evelyn. When I was a child in Scotland, my grandmothers always referred to ironing as 'pressing'. During the Industrial Revolution, the semi-rural area we came from was full of cotton mills. They were long gone by our time, but much of their terminology stayed in place names & in the language. Interestingly a 'press' is also the old Scots word for a cupboard (I assume it came from storing pressed linens there).

[@raeafoley6131]

Haha! In Ireland we have hot presses. I don't have anymore and I miss it! That's where I used to keep my towels and bedsheets and finished drying of still slightly damp clothes.😜

[@bellasmith8821]

Where I am, our cupboard that we store bed sheets and towels etc. Is generally referred to as a "linen press" probably for a similar reason 🤔

[@tunnasch]

Thanks for sharing that! I love human interest history. :)

[@india1422]

I’m Scottish and my great grandmother always referred to the press

[@phaedraellingson7943]

I do so enjoy watching you. It's like having my mom back telling me where I screwed up! So many things I was taught has kind of slip somewhere else an you bring them all back. I love to sew, when my husband and I were married he to told everyone he didn't realize That attached to me was a needle and thread! My mom didn't normally use a pattern, she would turn you around 3 times and when us girls got home from school, we would have a new outfit/dress. She never taught me that trick..

[@hobbyhopper3143]

Eeeeeeek! I can’t imagine not pressing as you go. Especially anytime seams (or sewing lines) cross. Thanks for all your videos.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Me too!! Thanks for watching! 😄

[@rhondawaller4457]

I’m glad I found you !!! During Covid and I recently retired, I want to learn to sew. This has been a very hard and frustrating challenge for me. And there are no classes around here due to Covid, so I’m going to use your videos. I get so upset and discouraged and definitely feel stupid ! But, I don’t want to give up !!! My mom could sew very good. See passed last year, I wish so badly she were here to help.

[@barbarakornacki8599]

Don't become discouraged, you aren't stupid! I am retired too and hadn't sewn since the 60s; one of my few regrets is that I didn't keep it up. I bought a sewing machine in 2014 and it's been a slow go for me as well. I have made a few simple things and I mean really simple. I took one class and made a very nice tote bag but I was slower than the others and always the last to leave. These videos are just as helpful and I can replay them as much as I need to retain the information. I have made a few things, some I enjoyed but others I didn't which is part of the process I guess. I hope to make a few simple garments this year and I so enjoy Evelyn's videos.

[@joylittle3917]

One other step that I use is, after each step of pressing, I seal the seams with a tailor's clapper. It makes permanent creases where they are needed and does lock all your seams in place.

[@latamarawhitlow7288]

Where can you purchase a tailor's clapper?

[@latamarawhitlow7288]

Where can you purchase a tailor's clapper?

[@CyclingM1867]

What is a tailor's clapper?

[@joylittle3917]

@@latamarawhitlow7288 I believe at angelawolf.com

[@joylittle3917]

@@latamarawhitlow7288 I believe at angelawolf.com

[@en1909s9iah]

another thing I think it's very important is keeping seam allowances larger at the beginning, it helps you keep things straighter and making corners/round sewing neat. and always always plan ahead about your finishes! but if in doubt at the beginning, leave some room for changes later!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes! Extra width seam allowances can save the day sometimes!!

[@karenschafer2827]

I don’t agree about this one. I believe that curves are much more easily navigated with 3/8” seams.However, side seams on a new pattern are more practical at maybe 1” so they can be more easily altered

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes, If you sew with a larger seam allowance, curves still need to be clipped down to that smaller amount! If you can manage it, it saves time to just sew it smaller as you say! 😀

[@shrljazz]

A real eye opener Evelyn and also thanks to some of the others on here who added their comments on pressing

[@kathleenwest1463]

I don't have a dedicated sewing table - small house. What I do have is a big, heavy, vintage ironing board. I set my machine on the far wide end, park my heated iron on the narrow end, and press everything as I go. I'm not entirely sure that I'd change now if I did have room for a sewing table!

[@MathPiHanan]

Press as you go is a sewing tennet I adopted when I started from your first sewing habits video. I wanna try the sleeve roll next!

[@MathPiHanan]

Andrea Sartori thank you for the correction! English is not my first language, which makes it hard and confusing sometimes 😅😅

[@DuskinOracle]

@@MathPiHanan English *IS* my first language, and it's still hard and confusing. You're doing awesome.

[@sandral9401]

What a wonderful video. This takes me back to my father's stories. He was a tailor (had to close his atelier on the early 1970s because few people wanted to pay extra for bespoke clothes) and the first thing he learned when he started as an apprentice at the age of 14 was how to press fabric. He always says the most important part of of tailoring is not the cut of the fabric or the sewing but the molding of the garment with the hot iron and steam to adjust it to the individual body shapes. He adjusted many coats and blazers for me just like that, using "pillows" like you showed here. In really enjoying watching your channel. I'm in my 30s but I learned how to take care of my clothes and do basic sewing by hand and using a machine. Not many in my generation did but I think its such an important skill and you do a great job showing it. Thank you!

[@shrljazz]

The dress you are wearing is one of my favorites!

[@karenpillow4104]

I learn to sew years and years ago in a home economics class and junior high school. Oour teacher taught us to press as we go as though it were an 11th commandment. It does make a tremendous difference

[@tsezwik]

I started about 25 years ago using one of those tiny, triangle quilting irons because that's all I could afford. Kinda took awhile ☺

[@ruthberanek13]

Agree, press as you go. I was taught this in Home Economics 40 some years ago. Same goes for Quilting, press as you go.

[@MotherHemCreations]

This!! And in the cosplay community we have this joke that the difference between novice and journeyman is ironing your seams

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😂😂 Whilst I do not know what 'journeyman' means.... I understand entirely! It's so true! ❤

[@MotherHemCreations]

@@Evelyn__Wood journeyman is basically intermediate category for the costume contest

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Oh I see!! It definetly applies!! Pressing makith the sewer! 😄

[@MotherHemCreations]

@@Evelyn__Wood I have so many friends and people that I meet at events like that and they always say I wish I could see. And I always tell them sewing is learning a list of small skills. It's like leveling up in a video game. Anyone can do it you just need to put the time into it to get good. That and press your seams xD

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes!! So true! I say sewing is 70%preparation 30%acually sewing!

[@consuelobrennan703]

Thank you so much for showing the importance of directional seams! ♥️

[@lostlatinlover]

I was so spoiled for nearly 20 years by my 2nd wife. She was a high-end seamstress for NM Bridal, working on Vera Wang etc. She spoiled me by altering all my clothes to perfection. Even now (nearly 8 years apart) whenever she's in the USA, she will stay with me and alter/fix any of my store bought clothes. One of my favorite stories of her work was the day a high-spending customer flew in from NYC to Dallas to purchase some evening gowns and slacks. While we were enjoying a lovely TexMex dinner, her boss called because this customer was enraged because she believed her gowns and slacks were untouched. My lovely wife asked "Did the customer try on the clothes? Her boss replied 'no'." A few minutes later the customer called from her boss's phone to apologize saying "I apologize, it's just that the clothes didn't look altered." My ex's reply was perfect... "Isn't that the goal?"

[@lostlatinlover]

FYI I have the most lovely Husqvarna Viking sewing machine. I love it but it has taken me years to learn a fraction of what it can do. Of course, my ex can do wonders with it!!!

[@celiahaddon4087]

It’s also helpful to include a pressing cloth (maybe in silk organza) in the kit, especially for using on the right sides of any fabric that might show a sheen if pressed without. I made my own pressing ham and sleeve roll from a commercial pattern and stuffed it with sawdust from a pet shop. The wool side is for woollen fabrics and the cotton side for cottons and synthetics. I’ve also seen other sewers pin one end of a seam to a ham in order to put slight tension on the seam when pressing for a really professional, crisp finish.

[@47BBY]

Absolutely press-as-you-go produces far superior results!

[@barbo1106]

Evelyn your content is excellent and your flair for teaching is delightful! So glad to have found you. 💞 I’m definitely a press-as-you-go enthusiast!

[@advancedloiterer1820]

Couldn't agree more with your pressing tips, Evelyn. Yes, press every seam after you finish it, make it a habit in sewing. Sleeve rolls are so useful if making cuffs and plackets on shirts, tailor hams for those fold-over lapels on shirts, vests or jackets. There are so many uses for them in the sewing construction of a garment. I would also mention a pressing cloth is essential, especially if you are working with wool, suiting, velvet, corduroy, etc. and/or where you don't want seams to appear on the outside of the finished garment; I even place a folded hand towel underneath when ironing flat sections, so the material being ironed has cushioning under it and my pressing cloth on top. Final tip, make sure that your iron is cleaned regularly. You don't want "rust" from your iron to appear on that newly made item; if you experience this then there is a great tip online about lemon juice and sunshine to remove the stain, if the fabric permits direct sunshine, and it works from my testing. Evelyn, even the seam choices and finishes might need covering in a video(es) as well, when your beginners are up to it. I still remember the joy on my daughter's face when she learnt how to make a french seam, etc. Heck, even my face... when you have a flounce on the end of a sleeve and you don't want the join to show, you need one of the many concealed seam structures. Or that top/dress with an organza fabric layer that needs a french seam. So many different seams that are useful for a professional finish and takes away that "home-made" feel.

[@updownstate]

Saturate rust marks with lemon juice, cover with salt, freeze, put in sun, presto!

[@cd2065]

Been sewing since the 60's. Always open for hints and reminders. Sewing is like many other professions, learning never stops. I do use my ham occasionally.

[@bobbiedurham5010]

You know the saying, "The teacher learns more than the students"? Well, I found it to be very true! I agreed to teach beginning sewing for homeschool students. One thing I learned was the pressing. I learned that pressing the seam, as it is right after sewing, sets the stitches. Then open the seam, if that's what is needed, and press again. I'm still learning by watching your videos!

[@lesliez1652]

Yes. That's what I learned many years ago. Press the seam first to set the stiches then press open or in a particular direction - that was before sergers and maybe now just an extra time consuming step but that is what I learned too.

[@sheep1ewe]

If i wheren't living on the opposite side of the planet, it had been awsome to met You in real life some day. :) I love Your videos so much!

[@trixievonmothersbaugh1340]

These were a little tricky to find in the U.S. but I found a tailor's shop in CA that had them. Thanks for this!

[@theincrediblefulks]

I’ve always heard “sew a seam, press a seam”

[@nartyteek]

First off: UGGGGH. PRESSING. I put off watching this because I knew I was gonna get out the board if I did, and dammit, there goes my night. I do love pressing, funnily enough, but it does interfere with my flow in a weird way. On a good day, I think I use pressing time to reflect and mentally pivot, but usually I am counting the moments until I'm back at the machine. I have this very nasty habit of stopping unnecessary projects at the first instance of pressing and letting this truncated items pile up until I have a whole stack of pressing. I think I'm that weird kind of lazy where I enjoy making more work for myself sometimes :/

[@maryriley6163]

I kind of discovered “press as you go” because I finally saw how much easier it would be to move on to the next step.

[@geraldinelombardo7434]

I have used a wooden dowel rod ( 1/2” - 1” diameter, 8” - 10” long) on a few projects that had narrow tubes. Works great!

[@CraftyVegan]

I grew up watching my mother press as she went, and when she started to teach me, she told me that an iron is equally important to sewing as needle and thread

[@aliiljah8224]

When I was 9 years old through 12, my Mom always sent me to Singer Sewing Center during the summer. We used to joke around and call it sewing camp. I would go once a week every week all summer and had sewing classes. I had to choose a pattern, fabric and everything else that was needed to make an outfit. So each year I learned to make something new. The most important thing that was taught at the beginning of each year was the difference between ironing and pressing. It makes such a HUGE difference. Also, Evelyn, the dress you are wearing in this video is absolutely beautiful, I want it. Thank you for all your videos, I just love them.

[@dreamylupine459]

I can't take my eyes off that dress. It's mesmerizing and terrifically flattering.

[@cwfan2]

I mostly make bags, I just don't have the room for garment construction. I agree about pressing, it is so important.

[@ellenpearce6885]

I always enjoy your podcasts. I spend nodding to your tips and tricks. I love your dress. I have a terrible memory. Did you do a podcast on making it? I think women today are very blessed to have them sharing so many ideas for refashioning. I learned everything by books, patterns and trial and lots of errors. Is your vintage sewing school basic sewing techniques?

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes! There is a video on making my dress in the Thrift To Vintage series!

[@clairetaylor4641]

I’m 67 years old and I inherited many of my grandmother’s sewing tools. Have just now made new pressing hams. My grandmother’s were at least 100 years old and were beginning to fall apart. They now reside on a shelf for display in my sewing room. She was a master tailor and taught me to sew. What a lucky girl I am! I love your videos because you are teaching sewing the way I learned from Grandma.

[@veronica7322]

Brilliant advice, especially the correct direction of the seams. Thanks!

[@Midlife_Manical_Mayhem]

thank you!!! i have been sewing for various parts of 41 years. my grandmother taught me at 9, various classes thru school years and then years of sewing for myself and my family. i never pressed!! (except in class, of course). i never understood the reasons and the difference between ironing and pressing. you made it so simple to understand!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Awww well I'm glad I could clear it up for you! And hopefully now will make it into your routine! 😄 I laugh when you say 'except in class'

[@Midlife_Manical_Mayhem]

@@Evelyn__Wood quick question for you, if you please. about 10 years ago i purchased a lot of vintage fabric and notions. last night and tonight, i've finally gotten around to winding the lace around foam core boards so i can store it better and see what i have. what i have is a ton of lace!! the woman used newspapers and other paper items as spools and just wound them round. the oldest one i came across was dated jan 1977!! i have far far more than i could ever use. i think she must have made lingerie. i've thought i might want to sell on etsy or ebay but i have no idea how to price any of it. might you know a direction i could start for ideas? thanks!

[@f8nomore]

I love your channel, Evelyn! Always so very helpful! Thank you so much for pointing out the direction in which the seams and darts should be pressed!

[@marshaewilliams4118]

Ejoyed all tips. It really helps me to have a more perfessioal look to my garments. Thanks

[@jadeelise7982]

Definitely agree Evelyn. Buying my first proper steam iron changed my life! 💕

[@marionbartley214]

Your blouse is made perfect . The lines on the front really are lined up makes all the difference.

[@raklita2113]

Thanks a lot for sharing. I will start using all these tips immediately.

[@catherineMkelley]

Gosh I really LOVE your videos. I've been sewing for 50 years and find your videos so informative and interesting. I agree that pressing in very important.

[@aliceallan4753]

I’ve learned a lot of great tips from your videos. I now won’t miss any steps especially stay stitching and understitches! It makes so much of a difference.

[@marymendoza3351]

Hi Evelyn! Omg, all of this makes so much more sense now. I understand the importance of the hams now. I have one and never used it 😳. Thank you!! You are the best!!!! Happy sewing....✂️🧵✂️

[@larawalker4737]

Love this! I'm new to sewing, and I absolutely love your videos! I've learned SOOO much! I've just started to practice my seams, and read for my first mock project, so this video is just the icing on the cake for me!! BTW, you're so adorable!! Love your style! Thank you for making these videos!!!

[@deanalovessewn6117]

Hi Evelyn!! Awesome vlog.. Same as you, I’m constantly using my ham & sleeve roll.. Ironing is a game changer when sewing.. They do go hand in hand.... 💜💜🧵🧵

[@lisajong7635]

I just started sewing, and Im learning so much from these videos! Im at the stage that actually starting a project is very intimidating, but these tips are helping me gain a little more confidence^^

[@mariepark4250]

Love the dress and red accessories...lovely

[@kimberlywiley7727]

You made me understand importance of pressing along the way of making my project. Great videos.

[@ttsmith2036]

I love 💖 Vintage Sewing School 😍!!!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

😃❤😃❤😃 Yay! I'm so glad to hear it! You'll love what's coming next month!

[@MorganMcRory]

You are a doll. A lot of the vintage sewing channels are holier than thou and make me feel like i can't even sew unless I'm hand sewing using silk thread and 250 year old silver needles make in London and a perfectly fitted antique thimble.

[@lindabrown7374]

Good video! I always press my seams. The ham is really great for pressing curves.

[@dhw5895]

Thank you for discussing the pressing tools. In high school where I learned to sew (I’m 74 yrs old) we always used these items and the teacher DRILLED into us the importance of pressing. I got away from sewing clothes because I wasn’t a perfect pattern size as when I was young. I quilt and do home projects. KZbin now offers us endless opportunities “to get back” to what we want to learn, it’s wonderful. I have wanted to find the pressing items you have in this video - so thank you for linking with Amazon. I have a feeling you are going to be one of my favourite teachers. Vintage? I can’t wait!

[@paraboo8994]

Rewatching this because it's always good to remind myself of best practices 😂 In regards to always pressing darts down, as a very busty girl I once read to press the dart bulk upwards if you carry a lot of the volume of your bust at the bottom and I have to say it makes a big difference, especially in more structured garments. Pressing the dart down can visually add more bulk at the bottom of the bust and it looks better if you press it upwards because it balances it out.

[@semco72057]

I like those pressing tools and I have to purchase those to use myself as they would be handy to have for working with pants which I will be pressing more in my projects. Thanks for giving us this tip since I didn't know it before and will pass it on to others who are working with ironing clothing and getting the seams correctly.

[@deniseblake6214]

I love your hints and tips! I’m looking forward to the day I’m able to add one of my own in the comments 😊 One of these days I will!

[@kimberlyamaclaren9933]

Absolutely AGREE press as you go is the BEST rule ever ! Makes a huge difference 💕👍🏼!

[@violetcarson5532]

Happy Monday 😍 awesome I needed more tips...thank you for sharing..😄

[@pheonixrising629]

Press as you go was how my mum taught me to sew. The ironing board got setup before the sewing machine, as we ironed the fabric and the pattern before cutting out, and didn't get taken down until finished. It genuinely never occurred to do it differently and that's probably why I've never had issues with my seams going different ways. Just before watching this video I bought a tailor's ham and seam roll and was worried that I might have wasted my money but now I'm feeling reassured they're a good investment. Thank you 😊

[@nathalieslachmuylders]

I am really enjoying your channel and look forward to exploring it further. There are things that are very hard to learn without someone sitting next to you and showing them, and I love how you touch on those specific things. I've heard many times that pressing is important, but I feel like I would really need to be shown how exactly you need to press in different situations. Hearing you say in a previous video that you actually test your iron on the fabric, is valuable. I also adore the stripey blouse design. Best wishes from Ireland

[@wifeoftim]

My friend gave me a bunch of her Sew ing supplies and it included a ham. I haven't used it yet but I sure was excited to get it. Thank you Evelyn for the reminder to press, press, press!

[@Grace_x68]

Thank you for sharing Evelyn. Very good tips as always.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@damnbro_idc]

If you want to make your own tailor ham, fill it up with woodshave bedding for rabbits. For the longest time I did not know where I should get a good supply for sawdust since I live in the city. Look no further than your nearest large store chain that has a pet section. They pretty much always are guaranteed to have wood shave bedding.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

that is a good tip! As I wouldn't know where to get some from either! Maybe just crush it up it it is chunky

[@damnbro_idc]

@@Evelyn__Wood I have made 2 hams and a roll and it definitely needs a good 5 minute press on both sides before use and I am very happy with it. It is solid yet lightweight

[@christinechappell7785]

I also made my own ham. I too filled it with rabbit bedding (fine wood shavings) from my local pet shop.

[@carolhanson3198]

That is exactly how I made my ham and roll. It also smells nice when I steam press with them.

[@nuriagiralt617]

What fabric would be best? I'm very new to sewing.

[@jannapolzin3241]

Thanks for the tips!! I am currently working with a homemade ham of scraps and I can definitely see why one filled with sawdust would be better. On top of pressing as you go, I also clip all my threads as I go and that has helped a lot too, especially with patience and process as I tend to want to just finish things too quickly.

[@normacousins7482]

You are absolutely right about pressing as you go. I don't sew any longer, but when I did I discovered very quickly the benefit of this step. I didn't, however, have the hams and I wish I had.

[@annbarth7358]

Thank you Evelyn...I've been sewing for 50 years and learned early on how important pressing is...it really makes a Huge difference. However I've never used a pressing ham, thank you for the info about it...I do need one. Take care.

[@trishgrant2715]

Thankyou for this video. I’ve made two of each ham and sausage (sleeve press) in different sizes. A lovely neighbour makes custom wood furniture so I have an abundance of very clean sawdust to fill them with. I’m going to make some more as gifts for my sewing friends.

[@nightingaleiom]

I am just loving these videos ! Thank you ! Incredibly helpful !

[@leeannjurczyszyn788]

Do you have a video for the adorable piece in the background... i love the color as purple is my favorite??

[@elisesofie1856]

Im looking through the comments just to know the same. Haven't been able to find it. Did you ever find out ???

[@whiteraven8322]

This is not a pressing tip, but clipping your curves and cutting down your seam allowance really makes a difference; along with the notion of pressing your seams as well!

[@TheCynedd]

Instead of clipping curves I use my pinking shears - we all have them and so few people ever think of using them!

[@kf9058]

@@TheCynedd wow!! Thanks!!! Gonna try this.

[@BeautyPurrfect]

Great video, as always, thanks to you I bought my first ham. Total game changer! Thank you so much ❤

[@Evelyn__Wood]

It is a game changer right!!

[@miguelmartin2818]

Your 1920's scarf-style is lovely. Many thanks.

[@donnadi1500]

Thanks for the its link exactly what I needed. 💯

[@bernicephillips7241]

I am new to watching your videos on KZbin you have such a sweet personality and your knowledge is great of sewing thank you.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thanks for watching and joining us Bernice 😄 I'm glad your picking up some new tips!

[@chantellemcleod6705]

Thanks for these tips!

[@madelaine3209]

As always, another great video! You are a gem!!!

[@KittenParadise]

Came here for seam allowance ironing, but learned about other tips! Thanks!

[@AmyRhubarb]

Thank you for this! I have a ham, found it at a thrift shop a couple of years ago and picked it up for a couple of bucks. I need to remember to use it more often! Now I need to keep my eye out for a sleeve roll - both seem very handy to have.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

You will love both!!

[@totallyrandomd1714]

I am absolutely going to pick up a sleeve roll and a tailor's ham. Pressing is definitely not my favorite part of sewing, but you are absolutely right, it makes a world of difference!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

It makes a huge difference, you will love it!!

[@terrymoore783]

Thank you, I just ordered both!