The Secret to Professional Sewing

I know, I know. You finally finished that last row of stitching and you just want to try the garment on. But if you want your handmade clothes to look like they came from a high-end boutique and not a middle school home-ec project, you cannot skip this step.

Here are my three golden rules for a professional finish:

1. Set the Stitch

​"Before you open that seam up, press it exactly how you sewed it—flat. This is called 'setting the #stitch.' It helps the thread sink into the fibers of the fabric so the #seam doesn't look like it’s just sitting on top. It makes everything look integrated."

​2. Press, Don't Iron

​"This is a big one. We aren't #ironing a shirt for work; we’re sewing. Don’t slide the iron back and forth—that’s how you stretch and distort your fabric. Instead, press down, hold for a second, and lift. It’s a vertical motion, not a horizontal one."

​3. Use Your Tools

​"If you’re working on a curve—like a sleeve or a neckline—get yourself a tailor’s ham. If you press a curve flat against the board, you’re basically un-shaping the shape you just sewed! Let the fabric drape over the curve of the ham so it keeps its three-dimensional form."

It takes an extra five minutes, but I promise, it’s the difference between 'I made this' and 'Where did you buy that?

#tailorsham #stitching #sewing