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Is pressing the same
as ironing?
Not really. Ironing is the action of moving back and forth. This is what
you would normally see in movies and television shows back in the 1950’s,
a mother in a dress standing behind the ironing board ironing with a back
and forth type of motion. Ironing is also what most of us do at home when
we have wrinkles in our clothes after we buy them or after we wash them.
Pressing
is a lifting and setting motion.
It is used to flatten an area that has been stitch, like seams, darts,
pleats, and hems. This is what you would see if you were watching TV
shows like “Project RUNWAY”. Most dress makers and fashion
designers press as they sew. Pressing, is a light touch of the iron. Lay
the iron on the seam, press gently, and then lift up the iron. Sometimes
a sliding motion can be used, but a combination of the heat setting,
steam, and a little bit of pressure will get the job done.
Helpful
Pressing Hints:
-PRESS AS YOU SEW!
(I can’t stress this enough) If you follow this rule, your project or
garment will turn out looking more professional and will only need brief
freshen up ironing when it is done!
-ALWAYS test
your ironing on a scrap piece of fabric to make sure your fabric is not
changed in any way by the ironing. If it is, adjust the heat setting.
-If your garment requires darts, or pleats, or princess seams, sew them
all and then press them all to save some time. Vertical darts are normally
pressed toward the center. Larger darts and princess seam darts can be
slit down the center and pressed open.
-Always press your hems BEFORE you sew them.
-Press on the wrong or ugly side when ever possible.
-Use the tip of the iron for small snug places that are hard to reach.
-Use a pressing cushion or tailor’s ham when possible to help flatten seam
and curved edges better. |
