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The pressing kit

Good pressing makes home-sewn things look shop-bought. Here is what you need, in the order to buy it.

ResearchedSewSift editorialChecked 1 Nov 2026
Bobbin
Bobbin's checklist
A pressing cloth costs nothing: a scrap of plain cotton works. Start there.
£Just starting
  • Steam iron: any iron with steam and a clean soleplate.
  • Pressing cloth: stops shine and glue on the right side.
  • Ironing board with a smooth cover: lumps in the cover mark the fabric.
££Sewing most weeks
  • Tailor's ham: for darts and curved seams.
  • Seam roll: stops seam edges showing through.
  • Spray bottle: for a little extra moisture.
£££Ready to invest
  • Clapper: flattens thick seams on wool.
  • Sleeve board: pressing inside narrow tubes.

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Sources

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

  1. Seamwork: how to use every pressing tool
  2. New Mexico State University: pressing pointers
  3. Sew Essential
  4. Jaycotts
  5. Dunelm
  6. The Sewing Studio
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Researched, sources cited

Specs, manuals, maker pages and owner reports, each with a checked date.

UK prices and shops

GBP inc VAT, with the shop and the date we checked.

Public corrections

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