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Just one press cloth is not enough.

Sloan Howard

A wool press cloth keeps the fabric from becoming shiny.

Sloan Howard

Made with fine silk filament yarns, silk organza is a transparent, plain-weave fabric.

Sloan Howard

Just one press cloth is not enough.

Photo: Sloan Howard

by Jacque Goldsmith excerpted from "Make a Press-Cloth Wardrobe," Threads #154, p. 44

Just as no single outfit suits every occasion, one press cloth isn’t right for all your sewing ventures. The correct cloth protects your fabric and enhances pressing techniques.

I use a press cloth every time the iron touches the fabric’s right side. I wouldn’t go out in the hot sun without sunscreen, and I wouldn’t put a hot iron on fabric’s face without a press cloth.

Here, I’ll tell you how to match the correct cloth to the pressing at hand; my collection includes muslin, silk organza, cotton shirting, worsted wool, cotton canvas, and flannel. I’ll also share my technique for preparing long-lasting press cloths that are easy to keep handy and neat.

Finally, I know the correct press cloth refines results, but I also know everyone has faced catastrophe at the ironing board. I’m going to share how I’ve learned to salvage some common disasters. On to the ironing board and better results!

Worsted wool

Wool has the ability to hold vast amounts of water, even when it feels dry to the bare hand, which makes it great for delivering steam where you want it. A wool press cloth keeps the fabric from becoming shiny. The highly twisted worsted wool yarn’s strength also withstands heavy use.

Cotton canvas

Look for heavy, tightly woven canvas or duck in a plain weave. (Don’t get a twill weave, as the diagonal pattern may transfer to the fashion fabric). The thick cotton fabric’s weight and high heat tolerance make it an excellent protective layer for sensitive fabrics.

Canvas cloth’s density causes heat to be evenly distributed through the fibers. The iron soleplate’s direct heat is diffused as it penetrates the cloth. You can put more pressure on the iron and more time on the seam—resulting in flat, smooth seams. Canvas press cloths are also a good choice for leather and fabrics with a low melting point, such as nylon, coated fabrics, or other synthetics. 

Muslin

Muslin for pressing is an inexpensive, plain-weave, unbleached cotton fabric. Poly-blend muslins are available, but they are not appropriate for press cloths.

Muslin has a high heat tolerance and can be used for general pressing, but the texture can emboss delicate fabrics. I use two muslin press cloths while applying fusible interfacing, because the interfacing’s adhesive can ooze out during pressing, and the muslin protects the pressing surface and iron. Place one cloth on the pressing surface. Lay out the fabric and interfacing, and then put the second muslin press cloth on top. Spray the muslin with water, and apply pressure with the heated iron until the cloth is dry.

Cotton shirting

Swiss or Italian cotton shirting is an example of this long-staple fiber, plain-weave fabric. The long-staple fibers create a textile that is smoother, finer, and stronger than other cotton fabrics.

I use this type of press cloth when heavy steam is needed to set the fabric. The cotton absorbs the steam burst from the iron and can be misted or dampened to add moisture to pressing. This fabric’s fine yarn, flat weave, and high heat tolerance deter changes in the fashion fabric’s texture.

Cotton flannel

Brushed or hairy fabrics can get flat or shiny when ironed. Made from a medium-weight plain weave with a napped or brushed surface, a cotton flannel press cloth protects these fabrics.

I use a cotton flannel press cloth with wool flannel, camel hair, bouclé, or pinwale corduroy. Use the iron with light pressure or hover and steam over the flannel and finger-press seams in place.

Silk organza

Made with fine silk filament yarns, silk organza is a transparent, plain-weave fabric.

I use it for general pressing because it has a high melting point and can be used at any iron temperature. The fabric is sheer, so you can see through it to place the iron exactly where you need it. Organza’s fine texture eliminates weave texture transfer to the fashion fabric.

For more great press cloth tips and techniques, see the full article in the APRIL/MAY issue of Threads, Issue #154, p. 44.

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Posted on Mar 16th, 2011 in online extras, fabric, notions

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Comments (3)

Stitcher75 writes: Can these press cloths be made from old clothing...I think a Goodwill 'hand-me-down' might be cheaper than buying the requisite material from the fabric store.

Also, are colors important? As long as it is colorfast, can I use stripes/plaids/etc or should I stick with light colored solids?
Posted: 9:35 am on April 25th

Cyd88 writes: I am so grateful for this article. One of the most important issues in sewing is pressing and I find very little information regarding doing it correctly. As my grandmother used to say that pressing helps ones stitchery like landscaping helps ones house. So, THANKS!
Posted: 2:17 pm on March 26th

Sharon_Carbine writes: Wonderful insights. Thank you!!!
Posted: 6:54 pm on March 22nd

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