How to Use EVERY Pressing Tool

[@conniemurdoch8528]

I think I may have posted this here before, but I will tell you this hack just in case. I really hate that sticky fuseing goo that gets on your ironing board cover and that leads to all the lint sticking to it and having gummy linty goo on what should be a nice clean ironing board. I bought several of those silicone cookie sheet liners (like Silpats but dollar store ones. I spread a couple out on my ironing surface before I do any fusing of interfacing. If there is goo seeping out it doesn’t stick to the silicon sheet. Recently I came across some that are almost clear and it’s great for putting on top a fusible item where I want to watch to make sure my pieces don’t shift. I fuse a lot of tiny pieces when I make quiet book pages.

[@jimkoss3318]

I use the silicone underneath. Will look for transparent also.

[@Arzulli]

I use parchment paper on the ironing board and on top of the garment. You can see through it pretty well and since it's thin, you can use the setting you would normally use for the fabric you're fusing interfacing onto. I have had the same two pieces of parchment for several years.

[@jimkoss3318]

@@Arzulli I will have to try this.

[@leannsews]

Thanks!

[@conniemurdoch8528]

@@Arzulli I never thought of parchment. Thank you for that!Does steam pass through it? That’s the only drawback because steam doesn’t pass through it!

[@karenkeith7558]

I am 75 and still sewing - really old school. Back in the day, i learned from older relatives who were professional dressmakers, from home ec classes, and from theatrical costumers. And they ALL stressed that well-sewn garments involved ironing. Seriously. After a seam was sewn, it was pressed flat, in situ as it were, before being pressed open or however it might be sewn. This sets the thread and cloth into a single flatter surface, and reduces bulk & potential wrinkles - i have tested this idea, and it does work. So i am glad to see ironing being discussed - i will also say that i am aware that many streamlined approaches to modern sewing don't even bother to dismiss this concept, thinking it sounds unnecessary & time wasting. All i will say is, there are two kinds of sewists - those who do press all seams this way, and those who have not yet begun to do so. My tip is about sewing corduroy, velvet, and the like - tricky fabrics to press. I f you have a substantial budget, or intend to take up a lot of heavily napped fabrics, there are velvet boards (also called needle boards) available. For more occasional corduroy sewing, using an old, lint-free (!) terry towel over a length of 3/4" - 1" half-circle doweling is good. You can can find the half-round doweling sold as wood trim, or at a tailoring supply shop. Corduroy is making more of an appearance, and is likelier to continue to do so for a few years, if first timers know how to press it during construction. I press obsessively while constructing, and hope to never have to press a completed garment again. Ciao

[@lovemesomeslippers]

I’d like to know more about pressing corduroy. Do you know of anyone doing a demo? Or somewhere to read about it?

[@karenkeith7558]

@@lovemesomeslippers, Seamwork released a youtube video on sewing corduroy a little while ago. Not much about pressing, though there are short segments about using a terry towel, and a needleboard - you can at least see what it looks like. Etsy has a couple of shops selling tailor's sticks - no demo, but you can see how low tech it is. Most of tailoring and fine dressmaking is actually petty low tech, high skill, as i think about it. Threads magazine has an enormous wealth of information, including a great deal about pressing, ironing, and tailor's advice, though there is a paywall for online access - if your local library system has a subscription & keeps everything, you can search for free. Sewing pattern review website is free to join & has an enormous amount of member-supplied herdware. I have no idea how to do a specific, precise search through youtube - perhaps look for vlogs from tailors & old-school dressmakers. My, you have made me aware how much danger there is that a vast amount of information is going to disappear if there is no attempt by a non-profit group to gather and organize it all...

[@SeamworkVideo]

You can find some tips in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aH-xioxtj6d6n6M

[@SeamworkVideo]

These are great tips! Thanks for sharing.

[@kathehansell8581]

Agreed! I’m old school as well & still have my needle board from when I was in junior high. I can’t imagine not having it, it’s essential for pressing plush nape fabrics.

[@conniemurdoch8528]

Another pressing tool I use is a curling iron or a hair straightener. I embroider and smock and I’m a big fan of pressing the individual plies of floss before stitching. I can sit in front of the tv and wax and iron floss for my current project simply by pulling it through the straightener or curling iron. When you align the plies with the ironed strands in the number you require for your project you will be amazed at how much better the coverage is. I can tell which projects were done before (when I took ironing floss as a joke) and after (when I waxed, ironed and cut embroidery floss no longer than 19” or so). Those tips really took my smocking to another level.

[@ategetho]

Question, do you wax the floss then run it thru the iron/straightener? Does the wax leave a residue? Did you get a cheapo iton/straightener for that purpose? Thanks!

[@SeamworkVideo]

Very interesting tip!

[@bajaboolie]

Your card stock seam template just blew my mind 😆. Low tech cleverness!

[@SeamworkVideo]

Right?!

[@Monga_Makes_Things]

I’m glad you are encouraging pressing! It makes such a difference in sewing. I never knew the uses of the tailor’s ham’s two sides!! A non-pressing tip: the ham is also really helpful at the sewing table as a “shoulder substitute” when adjusting the cap of set-in sleeves. -Addie

[@SeamworkVideo]

Great tip! Thanks!

[@suewilbur504]

I’ve been sewing heavy wool pants this week - my clapper (homemade from a piece of 2x4) and been invaluable!!! I also like to keep a small spray bottle of water by my ironing board in case I need some extra steam.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Great tip!

[@lifeandsuchvideo]

the cardstock trick is genius

[@tailorstacks9837]

You can also use the card stock to prevent imprints on the front of your fabric when you’re pressing seams open. Simply place the card stock between the main fabric and your seam allowance when pressing seams open!

[@SeamworkVideo]

Great tip!

[@patriciaferrito9245]

I have a metal pocket curve template. It's a square with each corner a different measure of rounded corner. Then there is a bent metal piece (bracket?) that holds and fabric tight to the corner edge. you sew basting stitches around just the curve of your pocket, pull up the basting and slide it over the corner that fits the curve, Use the bracket to hold the 2 sides in place and press the hem allowance in place around the curve.

[@SeamworkVideo]

That sounds super useful!

[@patriciaferrito9245]

@@SeamworkVideoAlso, I live near the Canadian border. I bought all my wooden pressing tools at a sewing expo in Toronto many years ago. Because they were made from Candian hardwood, they were much less expensive than those in the US. I'm not sure if that is still the case. But back in the day, when I was just starting out, the savings was amazing.

[@rebeccahunt355]

I use my clapper on quilt binding... it works great and gives a crisp edge and miter.

[@janwallace8345]

Really good reminder to use my tailor's ham. I hadn't thought about the card stock trick. love it!

[@SeamworkVideo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cassiek6531]

I like the clover hot hemmers, the cardstock works well but for some hems it's not quite thick enough to work with what I'm doing - especially with thicker hems where you sometimes get the hem creased into the front. It also bounces back the heat really nicely and has just a bit of spring to it, which really gets those seams crisp. I have are a pressing finger, also from clover - its like a tiny silicone seam roll with a flattened end like a spatula on one side . Great for tiny little seams, really tight areas, or when you're pressing a seam on the edge of the fabric. It was a game changer when i was sewing fitted face masks, which had some really tight curves to fit it around the eye and nose, and getting the sides to be super flat before topstitching for minimal bulk on your face. The other is along the lines of the seam roller, in that it is more of a finger press than a heat press. The byannie stiletto tool has a stiletto in one side - great for precisely maneuvering fabric in tricky areas af the machine, or tucking under the presser foot to pull threads out and such. Also really great for getting bias binding started in a binding attachment, or to hold that first bit of hem in place to plunge thr needle when setting up for a rolled hem. The other side is a slanted flat bit, which you can use to firmly "finger press" your seams at the machine as you finish each one before taking the whole stack over to the iron to be pressed. The last thing I haven't had a chance to use yet, because the house is getting huge amounts of work done so sewing hasn't been in the cards - my mom gave me two wooden tools for my birthday, one is a clapper - and the other is a stand for my tailor's ham. It holds it at different angles so you can use all the different curved areas 😁

[@SeamworkVideo]

The clapper is a really handy tool, i'm sure you'll love it. That tailor's ham stand sounds really useful! Thanks for all the details on your favorite tools!

[@conniemurdoch8528]

You can also use a football T as a ham holder. They are much less expensive than the ham holder. If you have teen aged football players they would know where to buy them. Even better they might already have one!

[@Lorij83]

I love the idea of using card stock. I’m going to remember that for helping with hems .

[@StephanieHWLS]

I have homemade concrete fabric weights (used the single serve plastic pringles container as molds) that I also use as a clapper and it works excellently.

[@JMillStead26]

Thank u😊❤❤

[@denisepettit8534]

I have got to subscribe to you girls and watch more later, off to do some shopping. Have a beautiful day. Also ringing the bell for all.

[@kckazcoll1]

this was interesting, I have never seen muslin (we call it calico in Australia) used as a pressing cloth. Have used silk organza, though :)

[@theclotheserinsews]

Yeeeeessssss to pressing! Love this.

[@SeamworkVideo]

Pressing really does make a difference!

[@jeanrutka4517]

Many thanks

[@moyagreene9590]

Great pressing tips many thanks .

[@SeamworkVideo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bodyandsoul17]

Great video/tips - thanks! I love my tailor’s ham, seam roll, and clapper. Do you have any suggestions on what is the best iron to use?

[@SeamworkVideo]

Great question. There are so many irons out there, but I don't have any strong feelings about which one is best. I think one of the most important things is to be really careful not to drop it. There is no quicker way to destroy an iron than to accidentally knock it off your ironing board!

[@whyjbe]

Are there any tips to purchasing a good iron?

[@SeamworkVideo]

Nancy's Notions has a great article about this: nancysnotions.com/choosing-a-great-iron/

[@mikaela4912]

If you had to pick one, would you pick the seam roll over the ham roll?

[@SeamworkVideo]

I can't pick one! Seam roll is great for sleeve and pant seams and the ham is great for curves like sleeve caps and necklines.

[@mikaela4912]

@@SeamworkVideo can you use the steamroll for curves?

[@SeamworkVideo]

@@mikaela4912 smaller curves, sure!

[@JMillStead26]

Could you please show me how to add batting to my dress form to enlarge the waste on it. 😢 or refer me to a slow tutorial. plz?

[@korkorlawson2480]

Where can I get card stock or which material can I use to make one myself. I am in Ghana ,West Africa

[@SeamworkVideo]

I'm not sure what's available in your area, but if you aren't able to find card stock you can look for a thick, heavy paper instead.

[@Ramy-m4c]

Do you have a link to a recommended seam roll? I heard they're not all created equal

[@SeamworkVideo]

I haven't run into them being wildly different, or had any bad experiences personally. I say if you find one in your budget it, go for it.

[@Sandrab769]

I watched a video about seam rollers and she recommended one that is for leather, as it is heavier. You can also get one from the hardware store that is for wallpaper seams. You also might want to consider one that has a silicone roller like the one in this video.

[@NonaMaryGrace1952]

Good tips. 💕NonnaGrace 🐓

[@allweb429]

Press stick

[@manalkhan9055]

A straightener lol

[@BeeLane-qr9fn]

Don't iron your clothing on the right side, only on the wrongs or the inside. It will stop your clothes from getting iron shine or pressing marks and the clothes will look better for longer.