Best (Sewing) Practices #4: Use a Press Cloth on Almost Every Fabric

If you like to sew fine clothing, you must know that pressing as you go is a Best Practice. Here, I must emphasize that the use of a press cloth should be ingrained in your sewing process. It is now a habit with me, even for cottons. You may press sturdy cottons directly, but I don’t; hey, it’s a free country.

Not using a press cloth? You’re risking scorching, or other damage to your project. As I said, it’s a free country.

Yes, it is silk organza and it’s one of my sewing heroes.

I have two kinds of press cloths that I use most often; my favorite is a piece of off-white silk organza. Yes, silk organza —- this one is quite heat resistant, and you have the advantage of seeing through it. Mine has lasted for many, many projects — silk organza is a stronger material than you might think.

You can see Scarlett O’Hara through the press cloth…..

For a very high heat setting, there’s always a cotton press cloth, used even when pressing a cotton or linen project. As we all know, linen can scorch!

When to Use the Iron Directly

Hovering the iron over velvet seam. Note the “needle-board” on the bottom of fabric. You can use a towel instead. (Excuse the blurry image)

There is just one task where a direct iron (sort of) application is warranted — steaming! The iron is not touching the fabric, but held a little above it. Steaming is used a lot in tailoring process of wool garments. I have also used steaming while making velvet projects, even just to “press” open the seams. Works great for me. You hover the steam iron above the seam; after moving away the iron, press down the seam with your fingers. Keep the iron at a safe distance, or risk steaming your fingers. I’ve used this method on soft, drapey silk velvet.

Pressing Cloth Tip From the 1940s

As you can see in this series of posts, some images are taken from a sewing book from the 1040s. Here is a novel sewing tip from the book, and I’m assuming there were no steam irons for home sewers at that time: Stand up your hot or warm iron (in a non-use position). Drape a damp cotton cloth over it and then run the fashion fabric over the damp cloth! Can you picture this? Never mind, I have an illustration from the said book here.

This ends my daily post schedule for this week. Having said I have not sewn anything since July, this month will turn out to be a crazy sewing month! Will fill in the details later.

Enjoy the lovely weather! I will be sitting out on my patio every morning with the first cup of tea.

Samina

2 thoughts on “Best (Sewing) Practices #4: Use a Press Cloth on Almost Every Fabric”

  1. Hi Samina, I used to use a press cloth but now I just use an iron shoe, been using it for years.
    It’s made from hi-temp silicone and prevents scorching/melting and shine on fabric. I am also a big believer in pressing and using the iron shoe exclusively.

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