What is a Clapper and How is it Used?

[@WalkerHoundGal]

I’m on a very tight budget, so I had to get extra creative! I found an unvarnished 2” thick cutting board at a thrift store. My husband agreed to cut my beautiful piece of wood to make 3 hardwood clappers. He has a router, and is able to use it to make the finger gripping grooves on either side. After some light sanding, the board will be 3 or 4 inexpensive clappers that should come to about $1 each!

[@ruthhurley800]

My husband does woodwork as a hobby and has many scraps of hard woods. He was able to look at this and make me one. He sanded it very smooth. I love it and the price was right!

[@lindacole5774]

My husband makes them too. Have your husband make them in different lengths too. I have 4 different lengths so when I am doing small projects I grab a short one. Just set the tailors clapper down on the fabric and press, no need to bounce it up and down. Iron dry then use Best Press and iron again then set the clapper on any ironing board surface. Hundreds of people have my husband's all over the country and Canada. From Nancy's to Eleanor, I gave theirs to them personally, I hope Nancy is using hers in heaven. Enjoy the smaller ones.

[@Freeyourself206]

I believe it has to be a special type of wood that doesn’t expand with the steam and heat

[@lindaannesmith9578]

My mother was a fantastic tailor, sewist, quilter and had a degree in English and Home Economics from Drexel; she taught both subjects. She had one of those clappers that she used when making sport coats for my dad - and wool shirts, too. It disappeared when she passed away. I've been making a baby quilt with partial seams and numerous places where six fabrics come together. Hard as I tried to prevent them, there were lumps and bumps. I wished I had Mom's old clapper. Then an idea hit me. I had been using my husbands small 5lb sledge hammer as a weight on the end of my long ruler to help prevent it from slipping. I tried banging the lumps flat with the sledge hammer......and it WORKED!

[@ruthclyde6127]

Back in the 1970's, I got to go to some classes at a local fabric store. One of the items they were selling was a June Tailor clapper. My husband didn't feel we could afford to buy it, so I showed a picture to my dad who was a carpenter. I asked if he could make me one--he made me 3. I was thrilled.

[@karenprim5295]

I just found a June Taylor clapper all in one at an estate sale! Was in great shape. Even found a huge ironing board for $20 bucks! Thank you Laura for your great tutorials! Happy 2020

[@rosesrose9131]

Thank you for teaching an old dog a new trick. I have never heard of a clapper.

[@veevee111]

My daughter asked me what I wanted for Christmas last month, I told her I wanted a clapper. She thought I wanted THE clapper to turn my lights on and off You know, 🎶clap on 👏👏 clap off 👏👏, clap on, clap off...👏👏 The Clapper! We laughed so hard.

[@gildaparodi-swords5623]

Virginia Valentin I asked for the same thing! I received the Cottage Lane Clapper with the blue pin cushion! The clapper makes a huge difference when pressing open the seams!

[@SewVeryEasy]

That's funny I wanted to make that joke in the video, however I figured not everyone knew about clap on clap off

[@Everyoneisanartist776]

Absolutely hilarious!!

[@lindaizzard9078]

I bought a clapper a couple of years ago. Once my sewing friends saw it and how good it works, they all want one now. I wish I had one when I first started quilting. Good tutorial.

[@monisue2793]

I really enjoyed this video. Many years ago I attended a Sewing Expo in Southfield, MI and I took a pressing class. I learned so much and purchased a wooden “Seam Stick”. It’s about 1.5” wide, and 16” long. It’s also similar to the long one you showed, flat on bottom side and half round on top. Still using it after all these years!

[@VAHelix]

My grandmother used one and I had forgotten all about it. Hers had a different shape to it, a pointed handle like a wooden anvil. Great tutorial! Thanks.

[@robertham3746]

That would be a point press. The top anvil side should have a long flat edge on top that a seam can be spread open on. The point where collars or corners can be pressed and formed

[@ccpperrett7522]

Thank you Laura. I need a clapper! That wool clapper looks like a good candidate.❤

[@cherylstreeter1962]

I use in quilt blocks all the time. So crisp & set - love this item!

[@colleenquiltstoo]

I’ve known of clappers for years, but I never knew how to use one. Thanks for this!

[@kendal4452]

Wow!! I am not kidding you, I had no idea that is how a clapper was used. Thank you so much for doing this video. I am learning so much from you, I have subscribed.

[@LaurieCopeland-ok2nu]

Really helps take that tiny elevation, that can never iron out, in middle of half square triangle!!

[@leticiaramirez827]

I am impressed how well you present.

[@bethkoch11]

I use a clapper anytime I use steam (and that's almost always). It works great - I swear by it; it makes my blocks really flat. I got mine from Nancy's Notions a few years ago. I'm really surprised that they aren't more well-known.

[@chrisb5391]

I've seen clappers before, but still don't own one. I like the multi-use one. Thanks for sharing.

[@margaret-mary499]

Got the pin cushion one for Xmas. Omg it flattens the blocks great👍

[@hollywaddell6727]

Is that a LeMoyne Star block I see? Have you done a tutorial on this star, with no Y seams? Your joins are so precise I would like some hints. I'm familiar with the basic clapper and its use, having done garment sewing. However, that new, longer one with the woolen roll looks like a real winner! My new year's resolution is "No more buying of fabric!!!" But new gadgets, tools, and sewing aids? ..... totally legal. Hah!

[@sandan2358]

My hubby made 5 clappers from scrap wood in his shop. I also have the clapper my Mom used when she used to make clothing.

[@christycleary216]

Great video. Never used one. I like the clapper with the pin cushion. I will have to give it a try. Thank you!

[@pdelmercado]

Great tutorial, I didn't know about these clappers before. But for crying out loud, I can just sand a scrap chunk of 2 x 4 to use in the same way.

[@adelechicken6356]

You could, however these clappers are made of hardwood for a reason. The steam won't raise the grain as it will with soft wood, which is what most 2x4s are made of.

[@ladysusan8134]

Thankyou, i found your information very helpful. Off to buy a clapper right now. 😀

[@lilliannecahoon4822]

I have the original one and it’s awesome, but I like that new one with the strip of wool and the longer length!

[@ssumner9757]

I always love your tips😊

[@karenpresley7101]

I saw one just a few days ago. I didn't know what it was until I read the description. 😊

[@arlenepiggot3982]

Have always wanted a clapper have been sewing for 56 years and never had one great that there is different ones now .👍🤔

[@dturk1385]

Love your videos! Thank you!

[@kerribland3925]

my dad made mine. I love it

[@mariannebecker5132]

Kerri Bland I love your dad. If my dad was still alive he would make me

[@JustChisoni]

Great info, especially for a beginner like myself.

[@joycehill2342]

Thank you for posting this - good information.

[@ninagillenwater4502]

Thank You, Laura!!

[@robinkinley6851]

Clappers are great for setting pleats in pants...crisp as the dry cleaners and the effect is very slimming....

[@sheliaellison7226]

Thank you for teaching that. Very interesting

[@lucillewong1161]

Wow!i've learned something new!👍🏼

[@cherylgray5824]

I've never seen a clapper. Interesting.

[@lindamattson6281]

Informative video. Thank you. What were you using for a press cloth?

[@sippa5]

That's my question also. It looks like a synthetic and not cotton.

[@kimcheeks9834]

Very educational!

[@lesa6399]

Now teach us about needle size & stitch lengths to use for piecing & quilting, please! We newbies could use a simple explanation! 😀

[@debjacobson9800]

Thank you Laura ✂️

[@michellestewart3052]

Can you do a demo on Hera marker please.

[@lynnie57]

I was wondering about this!

[@ronaldguy5474]

Can you stack two pieces of wood? What type of wood is best?

[@vangelfairy]

I've seen clappers before but never tried one. Thank you for all your tutorials and videos. Is your little artist drawing figure on the shelf holding fabric? I'm getting mine to do that😊

[@kennethstensrud669]

I haven't seen a clapper before I started to watch youtube channel, and think it is just a very good idea. The only problem for me is that they aren't available to me where I live, so I think I have to make one myself....... I have made a tailors ham, so now the clapper is the next home made items for my sewing room. I'm not too bad at wood working, so it should turn out quite ok. Could you please write the measurements in the comment section ?

[@gillianlazarus1997]

Hi, you can make it to any measurement to suit you. I had one made. I gave the woodworker an average to fit my hand, so that I can hold it comfortably and made it 12 inches long. Hope this helps.

[@rhonddalesley]

Make sure you use a hard wood because steam will raise the grain in soft wood so it won’t be a flat surface and could splinter which will snag your fabric and hurt your hands

[@karenjohns8859]

Thank you for this information!

[@jeaneneellis3798]

Where do you find the long clapper you can use on sewing seams?

[@Reichel6662]

I have a clapper kind but this one has a double pointed ends. Is that the same?

[@Freeyourself206]

I believe the clapper is not pushing the heat into the fabric it is absorbing the heat and the steam in the grain of the wood. If you think about it, the heat eventually goes away, and nothing can push the heat into the fabric more than the iron, so saying the clapper pushes the heat into the fabric doesn’t quite make sense. It is absorbing the heat and the steam in order to keep it flat while it is drying.

[@bulyko1]

Жаль что не знаю вы о чем но все так красиво и интересно спасибо вам

[@belyndamulloy33]

I bought one for quilting. And ironing jeans.

[@0802judi]

What’s the brand and model of your iron?

[@maryg3143]

I'd never heard of a flapper, or what it is used for. Thank you! A question for you - what is your press cloth material?

[@skinnydee1886]

Mary G, A FLAPPER??????

[@lynetterene]

Question: If I get a clapper do I need the wool pad too

[@SewVeryEasy]

I would :)

[@evelynburt2024]

Thanks very informative

[@rosejohnson452]

Humph! Who knew? Thanks for info.

[@norrinebuchholz3236]

Some of your links to the clappers don’t work

[@eleonoramarree]

The store you are looking for is no longer here. for the wool felted clapper

[@stephaniesalva9036]

i would like to know where she got that iron

[@catheydayton6493]

They are on Amazon

[@MRNBricks]

Beat the devil out of it. Haha.

[@virginialyle902]

I can't hear anything!

[@mgr852]

I loved my clappe