Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
For ironing on interfacing by vilene and other interfacing and pressing clothing
Table of contents
- For ironing on interfacing by vilene and other interlining and pressing clothing
- All types of ironing tools:
- Tailors ham or ironing ham
- Storing your tailors ham – pressing cloth – seamroll – velvet mat
- Pressing cloth
- Seamroll or seampress roll
- Tailors ham – pressing cloth – seamroll – velvet mat or would you rather have a seampress?
- Seampress or beak
- Velvet mat or pressing mat
- Looking for a tailors ham or another ironing tool?
All types of ironing tools
Tailors ham, pressing cloth, seamroll or velvet mat? There are a number of different ironing tools. On this page you can read more about them. Check out our shop to see all the ironing tools. Too many? On the page Which shape of tailors ham is the best we explain how you can choose the correct one for you. A tailors ham is sometimes knows as an ironing cushion…
What do you do with what ironing tool?
Everyone who has a tailor, seamstress of sewing grandmother in the family knows a tailors ham. They are oldfashioned products that are still used today. A pressing cloth is also an old faithfull, the seamroll and the velvet mat are newer additions in the category ironing tools.
Tailors ham or ironing cushions
There are large and small tailors hams. The smaller hams are suitable for pressing sleeve heads and ironing small round seams. The small hams are usually called hand hams and the most wellknown is the small hand ham by the brand Wagen.
In “tailors ham large” we distinguish between the kidney or bean shape and the oval or eggshaped ham. With the bean shape you have the extra inward curve to press a piece of your garment with a rounded seam. The oval or egg shaped ham only has outward curves. Both are sold equally as often. When you are looking for a tailors ham it is usually one of the two.
The picture above shows a tailors ham on a foot. This one has a pear or body shape and is higher than the normal tailors hams without foot. When you order a ham please check out the different sizes. And keep in mind the ones on a foot are higher. The block is mostly about 15cm high. Where you place a tailors ham on the ironing board, with the one on foot it becomes too high. Ofcourse you can lower the ironing board. But a table is also suitable to place it on. You can use both the ironing board and the tailors ham without having to move the ham from the board every time you want to use the board without the ham.
Storing your tailors ham – pressing cloth – seamroll – velvet mat
Easy storing your tailors ham or ironing tools?
A tailors ham has no hook to hang in from. Should you choose a ham on foot you can screw in a hook at the short side of the bottom plate and hang it on the wall.
The pressing cloth and velvet mat are easier to store. Sew on a loop and hang it besides the ham. Please note: the velvet mat will stick to fabrics, like velcro. So place the hard side towards the wall or roll it.
Geen muur over? Natuurlijk kunnen ze ook in een kast…
Pressing cloth
Pressing cloths are sold in different types too. We sell the professional one. The old-fashioned non woven pressing cloth is non woven but ours is woven. Both are see through but the nonwoven needs to bee moist for it to become transparent. With some interlinings that is not handy because they should be ironed on without water. That is why we sell the woven pressing cloth.
When do you use a pressing cloth
When you iron on interfacing so you are sure the adhesive does not stick to the iron. And when ironing on the outside of the fabric when ironing for example wool. Wool tends to get shiny when ironing directly on it. Also te prevent inpressions of the sole of the iron on fabrics.
Seamroll or seampressing roll
Whatever you call it, it does exactly what the name suggests. It is a roll with a flat underside so it does not roll of the ironing board. On the round side you place a straight seam and then you can iron the seam without the seam allowance to become visible on the good side of the fabric.
Imagine it:
Your seam lays over the rounded side and you iron it. The edge of the seam allowance falls down over the curve in the roll. Your iron does not touch the edge, therefore you do not see it on the right side…
Indispensible tool for ironing seams!
Tailors ham – pressing cloth – seampress or would you rather have a seampress?
Seampress or beak
The seampress, beak or seam ironing board, three names for one product…
The seampress is used the same way as the seamroll. It has a point on one side which can be used to iron darts. On the other side it is rounded for ironing rounded seams.
This also prevents the seam allowance to be visible on the right side of the fabric. But this time because you place your seam on a narrow piece of wood. Check it out in the picture.
Velvet mat or pressing mat
You can iron fabrics and iron in interfacing on fabrics with a hairy surface. The hairs sink into the mat and therefore they do not flatten under the iron. The velvet mat is also handy with overcoat fabric. These are made of wool and have a voluminous look. Even if your fabric has no hair
Would you like to iron a hem? Buy a hem strip and lay it on top of the hem. That way the hem is between two mats. You press without flattening both sides!
And the strip is also suitable for small parts like the pocket flap…
Want to know more about ironing velvet, velours etc? Read more on the page: Ironing velvet, velours, nap, plush, pile, velveteen
Looking for a different tailors ham or ironing tool?
We can also supply tailors hams on a foot, a professional sleeve board and other sizes tailors hams.
In our shop you can find all available types and sizes…
Questions? Please contact Annette via email: annettebeautyvof@gmail.com or app/call on: 06-30746623