Press As You Sew

 What is the difference between pressing and ironing?

Importance of Pressing While Sew  Ensures accurate cutting.  Decreases the need for basting and pinning.  Enables you to shape the garment.

Pressing Garment Details  Curved side seam  Center back seam  Armhole seam  Shoulder darts  Open– Tailor’s ham  Open –Ironing board & Iron  Toward body of garment – end of ironing board or sleeve board  Toward center of garment – Tailor’s ham

 Pant leg seam  Waistline seam  Bust darts  Open – seam roll or sleeve board  Up – Ironing board & Iron  Down – Tailor’s ham

 Collar points  Neckline seam  Open first, then press toward under collar – point presser and sleeve board  Toward collar – Sleeve board or end of ironing board

Preshrinking Fabric

When to preshrink fabric ► Before cutting out a pattern on the fabric.

Why Preshrink Fabric ► Finished garment will shrink when it is washed. ◄ Helps remove fabric finishes ◄ May make the needle sticky causes the machine to skip stitches.

Guidelines For Preshrinking  Preshrink fabric unless the label states that less than one percent shrinkage will occur.  Fabric labeled wash and wear, crease- resistant, or stabilized finish usually does not need to be preshrunk.

 Fabric made of 100 % synthetic fibers usually needs no preshrinking.  Fabric containing a high percentage of rayon is an exception, as rayon tends to shrink.

 Fabric containing high percentage of cotton, should be washed several times.  Cotton tends to shrink.

 All washable knits, often shrink due to relaxation of the knit.  Wool knits can shrink even when they are dry-cleaned.

How to Preshrink Fabric  Use the same method that will be used to launder the finished garment.  Laundering instructions can be found on the end of the bolt of fabric.  If in doubt test a small piece of fabric. Measure it before washing, then after washing to see if it shrinks.