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Good
pressing is important to good dressmaking and quilting. A professional finish can
be achieved only by constant and correct pressing in the right way.
Press as you sew! No matter how great
a garment was made it can still look homemade if it has not been well
pressed.
You will want to press with the tip of
the iron to get into small places. Try not to stretch or pull your
fabric when ironing. Sometimes if you pull or stretch and use steam
you can permanently stretch the fabric out of place. Press on the wrong
(or ugly) side of the fabric when ever possible, especially when pressing
seams, darts, and pleats. NEVER press over pins. Most dress
makers pins have a plastic head. If you press over the pins, they
can melt and get onto both your iron and your project. Pins can also
scratch your iron, which can leave a mark on your iron and snag your
fabric.
Do not over press fine fabrics. Most of
them have a soft looking appearance and flow on the body, so you do not
want them to look hard or over pressed.
When pressing curved areas use a
pressing cushion or tailor's ham. PRESS
as you sew! I am constantly advising my students of this. The best looking
garments in the end have been pressed, pressed, and pressed after each
sewing step!
Pressing is not
just pushing a hot iron along fabric to smooth it, it must be held long
enough to set the fabric in its new position. Pressing is a combination of
pressure that you put on the iron by the strength of your arm when it
needs it, heat temperature suitable for the fiber, not the fabric, and
moisture provided by a steam iron for thin and lightweight fabrics.
Always use a cloth when pressing on the pretty side of the fabric. When
pressing curves, and sleeves use a pressing cushion.
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