Ironing and Pressing

Geneva Vanderzeil

Instructor

In This Lesson

Before you even thread your needle, pressing your fabric sets the stage for accuracy and clean results. In this lesson, I’ll walk you through the difference between ironing and pressing, and show you how to use both effectively throughout your sewing process. It might not seem exciting now but trust me it's worth taking the time to do!

Why it's essential

When we think about sewing, we often focus on stitching and fabric, but there is one step that takes it from homemade to profession: pressing. Pressing is one of those small but powerful techniques that helps seams lay flat, shapes fabric and gives your work a polished look. Most people think ironing and pressing are the same, but they actually serve different purposes. Ironing is when you slide the iron back and forth to remove wrinkles. Pressing, on the other hand, means placing the iron down, holding it for a few seconds, and lifting it up without moving it.

So why does this matter? When you’re sewing, you want to avoid stretching or distorting your fabric. Sliding the iron (like when ironing) can pull the fabric out of shape, while pressing helps set seams and fabric without warping it. If you want flat, crisp seams and a more professional finish, pressing is the way to go!

When and why you should press

Pressing is important at every stage of sewing, not just at the end. Before cutting, it smooths out wrinkles for accurate fabric pieces. After sewing seams, it helps them lay flat and prevents puckering. Before hemming or topstitching, pressing sets folds and creases for a crisp finish. And at the final stage, a last press brings everything together for a polished, professional look. Taking out a few extra seconds to press as you go makes a huge difference in how your project turns out!

Pressing is simple, but a few key tips will help you get the best results.

First, set your iron to the correct temperature for your fabric—low for synthetics, medium for wool and blends, and high for cotton and linen. When in doubt, start on a lower setting and increase gradually. Use steam or a pressing cloth as needed—steam helps set seams, while a pressing cloth protects delicate fabrics from heat damage.

When pressing, lift and place the iron rather than sliding it to avoid stretching or distorting the fabric. Let the heat and steam do the work—there’s no need to press down hard. If your fabric appears shiny after pressing, your iron may be too hot, or you may need to use a pressing cloth.