During my recent Internet travels, I discovered this wonderful post by self-proclaimed Pressinatrix Ann Steeves on her Gorgeous Things’ Blog.

Yikes! I feel very fortunate that she has not stormed into my house to whip me into submission with her iron’s electrical cord. She would have been right to do so.

My attempts to properly iron my garments during construction fall woefully short of the Pressinatrix’s high standards. Turns out, I should not be ironing (back-and-forth motion, like with a wrinkled shirt out of the dryer) at all. I should be pressing (press down with steam, lift, repeat). And my clumsy attempts to use my pressing ham strike me as even more amateurish after having watched the Pressinatrix’s video on the Threads website.

Shame on me! Ann’s techniques for proper pressing have amazing results that speak for themselves. After one look at her case study garments — one pressed properly during construction and one not pressed at all — I can’t wait to try them on my current project. I resolve to learn all I can about proper pressing during garment construction.

(Though I do think I should get some points for knowing to iron press both sides of the seam flat before ironing pressing open, and for even owning a pressing ham!)

I’ll reform, Pressinatrix. I promise!

Tagged: pressing, sewing