Pressing, not ironing: the step that makes sewing look professional

Pressing is lifting and lowering the iron, not sliding it. Press every seam as you go and your projects look neater straight away.

Pinny's tip
Test the heat on a scrap first. For a blend, use the setting for the more delicate fibre.

What you'll need

• Steam iron: one you do not mind getting a little starch or glue on.
• Pressing cloth: a scrap of cotton organza or plain cotton, to stop shine.
• Tailor's ham (later): a firm stuffed cushion for curved seams and darts.
• Seam roll (optional): stops seam edges printing through.

Step by step

1. Set the heat for the fibre. Test on a scrap.
2. Press each seam flat as sewn first, to "set" the stitches.
3. Open the seam (or press it to one side, as the pattern says) with the tip of the iron.
4. Use an up-and-down motion. Sliding stretches the fabric out of shape.
5. Press from the wrong side where you can. On the right side, always use a pressing cloth.
6. Press curves and darts over a tailor's ham so they keep their shape.
7. Press before you sew across another seam: it is far harder to get at afterwards.

Pressing vs ironing

Watch it done

• Pressing and Ironing Fabric for Sewing by Professor Pincushion on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.

Sources

All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

1. New Mexico State University: pressing pointers
2. Seamwork: how to use every pressing tool
3. YouTube: Pressing and Ironing Fabric for Sewing (Professor Pincushion)