After having finished my Snow White Coat, I needed to turn to an easy project. So, I thought what’s a better project than making some long needed (ok, maybe I didn’t REALLY need it… but it will certainly help) sewing supplies?

I don’t know about you but I love finding gadgets that can make my life easier and make the look result more professional.

Probably because I am not the best at ironing and I find it especially difficult to iron sleeve caps and narrow seams, having a tailor’s ham and a seam roll has been for a long time in my to-do list.

Well, I must admit that until a few months ago I didn’t even know a seam roll or sleeve existed. So I had to go an look up an explanation:

Seam roll

Is a tube-shaped cushion that’s used to press seams in
sleeves and other narrow areas. The seam roll is inserted into the sleeve, allowing it to be
pressed without being creased. It can also be used as a surface for pressing other seams
open. The rounded surface of the seam roll keeps the edges of a seam allowance from pressing
a ridge into the right side of fabric. [THIS IS WHAT I NEED]
The end of a seam roll can also be used to press curved
areas a tailor’s ham is too large for. [GREAT] One side of the seam roll is covered in wool for pressing
wool fabrics and the other side, cotton for all other fabrics. A seam roll is usually filled with
sawdust [ME THINKS: WHERE CAN I FIND THAT?], which allows it to be shaped and molded.

::source::

And right above it, was the explanation for the Tailor’s ham which I thought I should also read in case they would make some nifty suggestions that would really make I life easier.

Tailor’s ham

It’s a cushion that provides a rounded surface for pressing curved seams like
sleeve caps, princess seams [I DIDN’T KNOW THIS], and darts [COOL TOO]. One side is covered in wool for pressing wool fabrics
and the other side, cotton for all other fabrics.

::source::

Finally, a couple of days ago after having eaten way too much on one of the many holiday meals (how  do I always manage to do that???) and not being able to move… I finally managed to get up and sew my new tailor’s ham and seam roll.

And I guess moving a bit helped…because all of a sudden I felt more energetic and thought… this would make a great pattern to share with all of you… so there I was drawing the tailor’s ham and seam roll patterns that you can download and print at home.

• Download Tailor’s Ham pattern/Cartamodello guanto per stirare
• Download Seam Roll pattern/Cartamodello stira cuciture

For the assembling tutorial, you can find a great one online on Burda Style: How to make a tailor’s ham by Nikki from Wardrobe refashion. I actually followed this tutorial when sewing mine.

For the filling, I didn’t use sewdust because I didn’t have any at hand, I didn’t know where to get it and all stores were closed. So, I used fabric scraps, cut them up in small pieces/strips and packed them in very firmly. And actually I found it’s a great way to get rid of all those fabric leftovers I have been putting away for some time.

In case you you prefer to get a ready-made tailor’s ham and seam roll, you can find it online on The Cupcake Goddess’ shop. She makes really cool ones.

Ok, I think now I am to start a new project to use my new pressing tools.

What’s the sewing tool you can’t do without?

Are you a gadget lover or do you feel less is more?

Have a great weekend.