Draperies and Top Treatments - Pressing seams
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wjterry
03-03-09, 07:34 AM
Would someone please give me advise on pressing open seams when making long pinch pleated drapes. I use steam and it always seems to shrink and stretch the fabric. I have learned to add length to fabric when cutting just to made up the difference. Would appreciate any advice.
Judy
Judy
Shadeladie
03-03-09, 07:20 PM
Hi and welcome to the forum!
I don't usually press the seams open, but instead I press them to one side, then the lining seam to the other side. Sometimes I just finger press the seam. On occasion, they're pressed open.
I think the problem may be that you're sliding the iron back and forth, which can stretch the fabric. Try pressing by lifting the iron up and down instead. This is the correct way to iron.
If the fabric is shrinking, then it's probably the fabric content. Try dry pressing or finger pressing instead. Any fabric other than 100% cotton, you sometimes need to test first. Also, if it's shrinking because of the fabric content, but it needs to be pressed, sometimes you need to pre-shrink the fabric by steam pressing it all before sewing.
I don't usually press the seams open, but instead I press them to one side, then the lining seam to the other side. Sometimes I just finger press the seam. On occasion, they're pressed open.
I think the problem may be that you're sliding the iron back and forth, which can stretch the fabric. Try pressing by lifting the iron up and down instead. This is the correct way to iron.
If the fabric is shrinking, then it's probably the fabric content. Try dry pressing or finger pressing instead. Any fabric other than 100% cotton, you sometimes need to test first. Also, if it's shrinking because of the fabric content, but it needs to be pressed, sometimes you need to pre-shrink the fabric by steam pressing it all before sewing.