Pressing velvet is tricky. Experts recommend using a velvet pressing board, but they’re hard to find and are expensive. There’s a better way.

Shirley J. Crooks from Walnut Creek, California, recommends a less expensive way. Use a lint brush with a fuzzy surface. Lay the brush fuzzy side up on the ironing board, and place the velvet seam over the brush, right side down. Steam it without touching the fabric. Finger-press the seam, and move the brush to the next section. This works well enough, but takes time.

For long seams, stick a strip of self-adhesive hook-and-loop tape on a wooden pressing stick, a dowel, or even a yardstick. Press the seam open, as we did before. Remember, always test a scrap of the fashion fabric before trying anything on the actual garment.

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