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Pressed vs unpressed Does anyone have any examples they can show?
Blaceyda Intermediate IRELAND Member since 3/6/12 Posts: 54	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/11/12 12:02 PM I'm getting ready to sew my first real garment - a dress for my niece, so I'm brushing up on some of the dos and don'ts. From what I understand, pressing as you go seems to be very important to get the project to look right - who knew half of sewing was ironing! I have a lot to learn. I'm having a hard time visualising what the difference between pressed and unpressed, so I'm wondering if anyone might be willing to share pictures to show the difference. Obviously, I don't want to have people critique other people's work, but maybe some people might have some images of their own that would show the difference... I'm just not sure my eye is trained enough yet to spot the differences in my own work. TIA
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 5/11/12 12:30 PM I don't have any unpressed garments because it's THAT important that you press as you go! The first thing pressing does is "seal" the seams. After you've sewn a seam, you should press it the same way you sewed it to sort of "seal" the fabric & thread together. Then press it open or to the side, whatever your instructions call for. Pressing also gives you crisp finishes, helps with fit (i.e. steaming an unwashed fabric) and gives your garment a more professional, "done" look. I'd be surprised if someone has an unpressed look to compare. Keep pressing and enjoy your handiwork! ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV
Carol Mendoza   Intermediate LA USA Member since 5/1/06 Posts: 447	Login to reply to this post In reply to Blaceyda << Like this post Date: 5/11/12 12:44 PM Ann of Gorgeous Fabrics has this on her blog. Hope this helps. ------ Bernina 730E; 440QE; Vintage 121; Babylock Imagine; Janome 900 Coverstitch
Blaceyda Intermediate IRELAND Member since 3/6/12 Posts: 54	Login to reply to this post In reply to Carol Mendoza << Like this post Date: 5/11/12 4:40 PM Yes! This is exactly what I needed to see! It's a brilliant article: I love that she shows difference it makes to press each side. I read an article recently on a well established sewing blog and in the comments it seems that a lot of the readers only pressed open. It's so good to see the difference it makes, step by step. This is a must read article for beginners!
Blaceyda Intermediate IRELAND Member since 3/6/12 Posts: 54	Login to reply to this post In reply to heathergwo << 1 member likes this. Date: 5/11/12 4:41 PM Quote: heathergwo I don't have any unpressed garments because it's THAT important that you press as you go! I thought that this might be the case... everyone here is so knowledgeable!
quathy   Intermediate CA USA Member since 6/3/06 Posts: 757	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/11/12 5:27 PM I didn't start pressing the seams "as sewn" until I read that Threads article. I was only pressing the seams open. It does take an extra minute, but the difference is well worth it!
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post In reply to Carol Mendoza << Like this post Date: 5/11/12 10:25 PM That's a great little read... I'm glad there is something out there that shows the difference pressing makes!! Thanks for sharing! ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6765	Login to reply to this post In reply to Blaceyda << Like this post Date: 5/11/12 11:47 PM Here's a simple way to see the difference; Sew a seam. Feel the stitching with your fingers. Now press the seam (flat as sewn). Now feel the stitches. HUGE difference, huh. Pressing melds the stitching into the fabric. Next, open up the fabric as if the seam you sewed was a seam for your dress. Look at the right side (good side) of the fabric. Notice how the seam is clearly visible, how the fabric dips to create a "valley"? Press the seam open. Look at the front of the fabric now...the seamline is smooth and even, no "valley" created. And you're right; pressing is 50% of sewing. At least. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
tigergirl   Advanced Beginner AUSTRALIA Member since 11/30/09 Posts: 176	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/12/12 3:10 AM it's often the only time a garment will get near an iron in my house - I hang my clothes out and smooth them down very carefully - that initial pressing has a very long lasting effect if you're careful afterwards. ------ Brother BM-2600 Janome 693 Lumina Overlocker (Serger) http://tigergirladventures.blogspot.com/
lareine   Intermediate NEW ZEALAND Member since 11/10/06 Posts: 1042	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/12/12 5:10 AM Pressing is the only time most of my clothes come near an iron, too! I am making a dress this weekend and took extra time to press the seams carefully because of this thread. I felt too guilty to slack off on it

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