How to press clothes/fabric (20 Essential Pressing Tips)

This post is all about how to Press perfectly for the best professional look in your sewing

Earlier I had thought that pressing and ironing are the same. I used to use the words interchangeably. But I couldn’t be more wrong.

If you have done some sewing you do not have to be told about the importance of an iron box in sewing. But maybe you are like me.

I used to religiously use the iron box in every step of sewing – but did it all wrong and used to wonder why when the result was always wonky and ugly. Since then I have learned the difference between ironing and pressing.

Difference between Pressing and Ironing

Pressing and Ironing both involve a hot iron on an ironing table. That is all. Pressing refers to moving the iron up and down on the cloth, lowering and lifting alternatively. This is different from the to and fro motion of ironing which results in stretching the fabric.

The pressure applied by the up and down motion of the iron on the cloths has many advantages. Ironing may result in stretching and getting the fabric out of shape. Just imagine your neckline stretched out of shape because of the wrong use of iron box. No one wants that.

Since learning the importance of pressing and the use of iron I think I have spend as much time pressing as I have spent on the sewing machine. Pressing is ABSOLUTELY critical to achieving beautifully finished garments. 

Pressing wrongly can also mar the look of your fabric. Sometimes a glossy look, completely unwanted, appears on the surface of the cloth as a result of wrong pressing.

What are the tools you need for pressing

• Iron – A steam iron is ideal.
• Ironing board and cover – a nicely padded up ironing board; Even a mini ironing board near your sewing area will serve the purpose.
• Pressing clothes – this is a piece of cloth used between the iron box and the garment.This one prevents scorching your precious fabric, as well as protects your fabric from the residue in the iron box plate. (check point 15 for more details). 
• Padded ham – used to keep the curved seams when pressing.

Some optional tools like Point presser (made of wood and used to press flat seam allowances); seam stick (to press seams open) Clappers (made of wood to beat a seam allowance flat); Sleeve board and seam rolls (Works like a free arm in your sewing machine; used to slip narrow openings to press the seams easily) and iron plate sleeve  also make your pressing go smooth and easy.

Important points to consider when pressing

PRESSING POINT 1

Never compromise on pressing. Do not wait till the whole garment is stitched before touching the iron. Organise pressing so that you have a number of seams to press at once to save time.

I always prewash and press my fabric before cutting; even before taking out to mark the pattern. A wrinkled cloth will result in wrong pattern markings. You will also be able to cut accurately if you have a smooth fabric.

Follow the pattern instructions and press every seam. It is better that you have your ironing table near your sewing machine. Learn more about prewashing fabric before sewing here. 

PRESSING POINT 2

Consider the fabric type and texture of the fabric before starting to use the iron. The finish and embellishments also should be  considered. Cotton and Linen can tolerate high temperature but synthetic fabrics like Nylon and Polyester will melt in this high heat.

The temperature setting indicator on your iron box can be your guide in selecting the right temperature.

Before pressing on the right side of the cloth, I always test pressing on a scrap of the same fabric. You cannot be too careful with a hot iron.

PRESSING POINT 3

Usually, you press on the wrong side of the garment. A pressing on the back of the fabric prevents shine on black fabrics. If you are pressing on the right side, use a pressing cloth. 

When using a steam iron, use a pressing cloth; press lightly on the cloth and then immediately lift the cloth up to allow steam to escape.

To iron on the wrong side of this fabric, lay them right side down on a soft fabric and steam press very lightly.

PRESSING POINT 4

How to press seam lines – Before pressing a seam open or to the sides as the pattern necessitates, you have to press the stitching line. This pressing sets the stitching line properly. This is a very necessary step. The advantage of pressing the seam open is that the seam line seems to disappear with the pressing. Who wants an obvious seam line.

We usually press the seams open. But sometimes you have to press them to one side. For eg the seam allowance of a facing is pressed to one side to be under stitched.

When pressing the seam allowance to one side it is better if the seam allowance is graded. ie one seam allowance is trimmed to half that of the other seam allowance.

Press the seam line in the opposite direction to the stitching direction.

PRESSING POINT 5

Fabric with a pile like velvet, suede, etc, and fur cannot be touched with iron on their good sides.  Never ever use the iron directly onto these clothes if you do not want to destroy them.

You can press them from the back after placing them on a padded surface like a turkey towel or a special velvet pressing aid. To steam press velvet hold the steam iron above the material on the back of the fabric – the steam should just graze over the material. The full force shouldnot be on the fabric. 

You can brush the right side of this fabric with a soft fabric brush.

PRESSING POINT 6

To steam you have to hold the steam iron 1 inch above the cloth and let the steam do the work of ironing out the wrinkles. Let dry the cloth naturally.

But do not use steam on delicate sheer fabric, viscose/rayon, and acetate. Use a dry iron only. Steam also should not be used on crinkled fabric like heavy crepe and ribbed clothes. The steam will destroy the look of the fabric. Silk may also be marked by steam.

Steam pressing helps Cotton, Linen and wool.

PRESSING POINT 7

Use dampened pressing cloth when pressing natural weave cloth like cotton and linen or heavy cloth. You will have an easy time removing the wrinkles. Light steam also works the same way. A dampened pressing cloth can help in manipulating fabric better in areas like armholes with curved seams and hems. But this also has to be tested with a scrap fabric piece first.

If there are still stubborn wrinkles on the fabric, brush a little white vinegar solution (vinegar & water 1:1) and then press. Usually the wrinkles disappear and smell goes off soon enough.

Just a moderate pressing with a warm iron is all you need to get the wrinkles out. 

PRESSING POINT 8

You can use a teflon iron shoe with your steam iron – it has small holes and the surface protects fabric surface.

PRESSING POINT 9

When pressing the folds inside for applique, just pressing is not enough to keep the fabric edges folded to the inside – you will need to apply a little starch solution with a brush to keep the fabric stiff and folded.

Related posts : Homemade Starch recipes.

PRESSING POINT 10

You can also buy a Teflon pressing sheet – this is very useful for pressing delicate heat sensitive fabrics and interfacing.

If you have to remove wrinkles out of interfacing itself there is a problem – if you keep the gummy side down it will stick to your ironing board cover, if you keep it up it will stick to your iron soleplate; You will have to use a teflon pressing sheet to press the interfacing.

PRESSING POINT 11

A small pressing cushion (seam roll) helps greatly when pressing curved seams like the sleevehead. Make one yourself or buy one – you may need one sooner than you imagine.

PRESSING POINT 12

Do not forget to trim the seam allowances and or clip them before pressing. You may also need to grade the excess seam allowances.

PRESSING POINT  13

Do not forget to take off pins before you start to press. Pins can damage your iron. Also it mars the fabric. It can also leave marks.

PRESSING POINT 14

List of fabrics which should only be pressed on the wrong side

• Dark coloured cotton fabric 
• Embroidered, embellished fabric
• Fabric with Weatherproofing applied
• Pieced or quilted fabric 
• Piled /napped fabric.

PRESSING POINT 15

You need a pressing cloth every time your iron box touches the right side of your fabric.

Selecting Pressing clothes for pressing depends on the cloth you are pressing. The weight of the pressing cloth should be in proportion to the garment fabric. A cloth with a pile needs a turkey-like fabric as a pressing cloth to protect its surface. 

Muslin cotton cloth cut in 15 inch by 6 inch dimension is usually used for most fabrics. Delicate fabrics may need thick turkey cloth as pressing cloth to prevent damage. A velvet and similar pilled fabric need fluffy pressing cloths. 

I always keep a number of square pressing clothes in the sizes of  10″ – 20″. A wool pressing cloth for pressing wool, a turkey one for delicate fabrics and napped ones, and cotton muslin and a thick cotton fabric for general pressing are essentials.  Instead of turkey cloth you can use cotton flannel also. 

A muslin square piece is the best pressing cloth when pressing interfacing. You can use two layers; one under the garment and the other one between the iron box and the fabric. This will protect your ironing board cover as well.

Use silk organza as pressing cloth where you need to see what is happening underneath. But be aware that this cloth can burn easily.

If you ‘have to’ press suede, leather etc use brown paper in between the low heat iron and the material. Professionals never press these materials without a teflon iron shoe.

Do not forget to finish the edges of these clothes with zigzag/ overlock stitches or even pinking. Or else you will have a reveling mess in your hands. Also ensure that the pressing cloth is UNBLEACHED for obvious reasons.

Use only clean pressing clothes. Wash as soon as they become dirty. 

PRESSING POINT 16.

How to press enclosed seams – Enclosed seams are seen in collars, facings, plackets etc They should be first graded ie one seam allowance trimmed to half the size of the other. Then they should be first pressed open, then pressed together to the side.

How to press pleats or tucks. – Pressing is necessary to correctly join the pleats to the main garment.

PRESSING POINT 17

How to press darts – It looks good if very wide dart folds on the wrong side are trimmed to 1/4 inch and pressed open. Professionals press the darts with a seam roll or pressing cushion. if it is a narrow dart press it to one side. Upper bodice darts near the bust line are pressed to the outside.

PRESSING POINT 18

Finger pressing – There are times when you do not necessarily need to press with an iron. Small seams and hems can be pressed with your fingers. Finger pressing can also be used prior to iron pressing for better manipulation.

PRESSING POINT 19

Sometimes you do not need a hard pressing on some areas of sewing – like the hemline. You may need a hem to fall gracefully and avoid the stiff pressed line. You have to use your jusdgement here.

PRESSING POINT 20.

You have to keep your iron box in tip-top condition for good pressing.

If the iron is dirty your fabric is a gone case. Learn how to clean an iron which is beyond dirty here. 

Make sure that water is replaced regularly. Lint and other dirt can cause brown spots on your fabric. 

Also, clean your ironing plate from any residue from the ironing interfacing cloth. Ensure the steam holes are not clogged from the goop from lint.
You can use an iron box sleeve to protect the iron plate. A teflon one is also used as a protective layer against the residue.

Make sure your ironing board cover is clean and spot free. You can easily make an ironing board cover with things you have at home following the tutorial here.

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