Replies

1. 
   KBTsewer | Apr 19, 2009 03:01pm | #1

   Claire Shaeffer in her Fabric Sewing Guide book says :- test press a fabric scrap to determine heat setting, moisture and pressure.
   Generally a warm,dry iron and light pressing is best.Press from the wrong side as much as possible.To avoid glazing the fabric always use a press cloth when pressing on the right side.Use a seam roll and brown paper strips to avoid seam and hem impressions which may show on the front of the fabric.
   That's it. Best of luck with the dress. Silk satin is so lovely.

2. 
   asmartdressmaker | Apr 19, 2009 06:42pm | #2

   try using a regular envelope between the seam allowance and the garment ... sometimes, heavy brown pattern paper can be used as well ... test this suggestion before using it on your garment, to make sure that you have the right thickness of paper to prevent marking ... it works for me ...

3. 
   sewslow67 | Apr 19, 2009 07:13pm | #3

   When you use paper (whether brown or white), make sure that you use a large enough piece to extend beyond the size of bottom of the iron.  That is a critical point.  In other words, do not use adding machine paper as some books recommend, as it would solve one problem but create another (an iron imprint beyond the seam).

   When I press silk (and some other natural fibers as well), I use large pieces of paper between the seams, and then a press cloth on top.  This not only keeps the seam from imprinting on the right side, but also protects the delicate fabrics from the iron.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/19/2009 12:18 pm by sewslow67

4. 
   ThreadKoe | Apr 19, 2009 10:41pm | #4

   I love my sleeve roll for this as well. The curve of the roll allows me to press open the stitched area, but keeps the seam allowances folded back away from the soleplate of the iron, so you get a nice press in the stitched area, but not on the seam allowances. Always using a press cloth of course! Cathy

1. 
   jjgg | Apr 19, 2009 10:50pm | #5

   I press almost everything on a sleeve board. It works somewhat similarly to the seam roll, but I like the more stable base of a sleeve board. It's very narrow, and stands high off the ironing board, so there is no chance of some nearby section of the garment getting folded over and creased by the iron when pressing a seam.For instance, think about when you insert a sleeve and you want to press the armscye seam, the sleeve is in the way, things just can't be spread flat, the sleeve board allows everything else to drape off out of the way, so no accidental creases in fabric that won't 'un-crease' afterward!

1. 
   catnet | Apr 20, 2009 03:34pm | #6

   Thanks to all your responses. Will try the brown paper and roll.

2. 
   ThreadKoe | Apr 20, 2009 06:09pm | #7

   OH YES! I love my sleeve board too! I actually have 2. One is a modern small one, and one is an older one. The older one is longer and higher one, and I tend to use it more. I also have a small table top ironing board that works well for really big projects that I do not want hanging off of an ironing board, onto the floor. I can slide it along under the fabric, along my cutting table, rather than moving all the fabric. Or great for quick press as you go. You never know what comes in handy! Cathy

5. 
   sewchris703 | Apr 24, 2009 09:38am | #8

   I iron the seams before I finish the edges. That way the serged edge has no way to get imprinted on the right side of the fabric. When I alter silk seams, I use both a pressing cloth and paper between the seam allowance and the gown.

   Chris