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Moderated by Deepika
Posted on: 10/17/10 10:33 PM ET
I'm trying to figure out how to effectively press a concave curve on a woven fabric. I'm working on a jacket with an attached (as opposed to set-in or raglan) sleeve and trying to press the seam (and then iron seam sealing tape onto) where the side seam curves into the sleeve seam, but it's very difficult if not impossible to do without the fabric being distorted/wrinkled/etc. I have a tailor board and that has a few concave areas, but the curve is too steep; it's also hard to use the board in the sleeve area. My hams and sleeve roll don't help either. Does anyone know any methods for pressing seams on concave curves?
Posted on: 10/17/10 10:35 PM ET
Turn that sucker inside out and it becomes convex. Use your ham and you are done.
Posted on: 10/18/10 0:21 AM ET
In reply to Rosews13
Because of the way the seam is, it doesn't become convex when I turn it inside out. It's the curve at the armpit area of a sleeve, and it's concave both right side and inside out. That's why I'm getting tripped up, every other curve I've dealt with before could be flipped around and dealt with on the ham, or was on a garment sewn with a knit or otherwise more forgiving fabric.
Posted on: 10/18/10 0:34 AM ET
Ok, I misspoke. Put the ham in the armpit, right side out, as though you were holding it under your arm. Put the iron on the inside and press from the inside. Will that work? You also have to clip that curve to get it to relax and then use the ti of your iron only. You won't be able to pu the whole iron down, just the tip.
Posted on: 10/18/10 1:15 AM ET
In reply to chicaem29
will using a rolled up bath towel give you the right shape/acess? That has worked for me on several occassions...
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2009-113.25 yds
2010-115.5
2011-80.25+30+donated
2012 86.3 yds..
2013 21.0
Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
2010-115.5
2011-80.25+30+donated
2012 86.3 yds..
2013 21.0
Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
Posted on: 10/18/10 1:21 AM ET
In reply to jannw
Good idea.Imagine how many heads it takes sometimes to come up with a soution.
Posted on: 10/18/10 2:35 AM ET
Another pressing aid - I put this in 'tips' a while ago - is one of those oven gloves (the kind made out of a knitted fabric which is very heat proof). I use one of these to get a first press in tight areas, as long as you don't apply steam at this point you can press over your finger wearing these. After you've got the seam to sit where you want it you can switch to steam from the top, with your hand out of the way!
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http://patternpandemonium.wordpress.com/
Posted on: 10/18/10 10:57 AM ET
It's hard to get at the curve from the inside with it right side out since it's a sleeve and my iron is huge and hard to fit in the space (even just the tip of it), but I'll try it again. I also tried to do the press mitt option but this curved seam is tricky. I need like 8 hands to get it positioned right! (And I can't use my usual option of pinning the fabric into place on the ham because this fabric is waterproof and you can't use pins on it.) If I have my hand with the mitt under the seam, then I don't have a free hand to move the rest of the garment into the proper position to get a good press. My seam allowances are trimmed enough that I don't really need to clip them too, but this curve is tough. I managed to get at it well enough to get my seam sealing tape on there, but I need to go over it again from the outside to smooth things out. Maybe I will try to rig something up with a towel and my hams and press board. I'm starting to think I should have pressed the SAs to one side instead of open but it's too late to change it since I sealed them. Damn.
Posted on: 11/4/10 7:58 AM ET
In reply to chicaem29
buy one of the tiny craft irons.quilting shops selll them
Posted on: 11/4/10 10:32 AM ET
In reply to chicaem29
I'd use toweling over a ham or sleeve roll to get the right shape. But I am puzzled as to exactly what seam you are pressing. Can you post a picture?
-- Edited on 11/4/10 10:35 AM --
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-- Edited on 11/4/10 10:35 AM --
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
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