Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: The 30-Day PFF Challenge!

Love your blog! I was just reading about couture s...

2012-02-01T19:35:55.514-05:00

Love your blog! I was just reading about couture sewing, most of which is hand sewn. I've learned that the thread of permanent stitching(not basting stitches) should be pulled through bees wax first, then pressed to set the stitches. The melted wax is what may actually set the stitches. Perhaps this is where the method for PFF originated??

I just did the PFF on every quilt square and I'...

2012-01-30T16:25:05.489-05:00

I just did the PFF on every quilt square and I've counted 80 at this point... I think I'm indoctrinated. Plus, I can see the little puckers go away. It looks like it's doing something.

2012-01-26T06:38:03.100-05:00

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Pressing the seam flat first flattens out the minu...

2012-01-26T00:28:40.142-05:00

Pressing the seam flat first flattens out the minute indentations from the up and down motion of the needle...

I've never heard of this technique, and I'...

2012-01-25T06:26:46.921-05:00

I've never heard of this technique, and I'm a little confused. When you say press the seam flat, do you mean flat like how it's sewn, or over to one side?

xx Charlotte
Tuppence Ha'penny

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2012-01-25T01:31:24.839-05:00

i like this blog...
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http://www.jobscharger.com/JobIndustry/Estate-Agency-12-.html

I'm in!I'll let you know how I make out.

2012-01-24T21:18:42.066-05:00

I'm in!I'll let you know how I make out.

I frankly don't know how to sew without pressi...

2012-01-24T16:19:14.325-05:00

I frankly don't know how to sew without pressing! Pressing seams flat first has always been my habit. I will be anxious to see how all of this comes out. Thanks for the challenge. It's a good thing.

I love your blog! I am working on a dress for me ...

2012-01-24T13:43:32.622-05:00

I love your blog! I am working on a dress for me for my daughter's wedding and on The 1912 Project. I too am a random PFFer I am going to take this PFF and (try) to do it each time I press a seam. I will report back!
Melodye

Oh no Gertie! This pressing discussion has reigni...

2012-01-24T08:19:06.785-05:00

Oh no Gertie! This pressing discussion has reignited my hankering to make my own pressing ham and roll. Yet another potential project to plan...

Challenge accepted, though I'm pretty convince...

2012-01-23T23:25:50.430-05:00

Challenge accepted, though I'm pretty convinced by Ann's article.

I don't need to take part in the challenge bec...

2012-01-23T21:05:04.652-05:00

I don't need to take part in the challenge because I'm already on the side of PFF (and have tested it for myself). "a little sewing" above made the point for me - if I am basting a seam to see if a garment fits then I will never, ever press it because it makes it so much more difficult to unpick.

@ GlassCannon Pressing is to press down on the ir...

2012-01-23T19:54:27.617-05:00

@ GlassCannon

Pressing is to press down on the iron on the garment, lift the iron, move it to another area, and press it down again. Shots of steam as required. Ironing is to slide the hot iron over the surface of (not above the fabric but on it) a finished garment to smooth out wrinkles from wear or laundering or both.
And the pressing during construction generally survives laundering. Ironing is generally what is done to finished garments after laundering.

HTH and welcome to the Press Club (pun intended!)

Well.. It's simple, really. When I press flat...

2012-01-23T19:38:50.851-05:00

Well.. It's simple, really. When I press flat first, the stitches do set. Is this a big deal? Not on most garments, but it makes a big difference on nice tailored shirts, pants, jackets, dresses, etc. It's not an issue of looks necessarily (though it is sometimes,) but of long-lasting durability and a clean finish. If I'm going to invest my time in drafting and sewing a garment, I want it to stay lovely as long as possible. I don't bother for knits or casual wear.

Simple as this- before pressing, run your finger along the stitches. They'll feel bumpy and raised. Press flat. Depending on the fiber content of the thread and the fabric, your stitches will lock together and you may not even feel the anymore. It's like they're a part of the fabric.

The dramatic difference for me as always been when...

2012-01-23T18:55:57.766-05:00

The dramatic difference for me as always been when I do it to fine/ sheer fabrics like silk charmeuse, silk chiffon, silk crepe etc.... on a quilting cotton if might not make a difference but on silk chiffon and charmeuse? Oh yes.

I will join you in your Challenge!

2012-01-23T18:41:21.739-05:00

I will join you in your Challenge!

I'm in!

2012-01-23T18:05:35.412-05:00

I'm in!

I teach sewing and hold undergrad, graduate, and p...

2012-01-23T17:57:56.417-05:00

I teach sewing and hold undergrad, graduate, and post graduate degrees in the subject. Always press flat first on both sides and then open or to the side.
It makes a difference.
Actually every little detail makes a difference in sewing.

I will take the challenge. I am about to make a c...

2012-01-23T17:05:08.312-05:00

I will take the challenge. I am about to make a charmeuse blouse and I always have problems with my seams puckering with charmeuse. I read on Ann Steeves blog that pressing flat and then open will help alleviate this. I am going to try it and see.

I remember doing pff in the beginning (and its bec...

2012-01-23T16:41:07.248-05:00

I remember doing pff in the beginning (and its because I learned it from here!) and then I started getting lazy~. I accept the challenge and I'll happily report back~!

I've never heard of doing it this way. But I j...

2012-01-23T16:05:01.665-05:00

I've never heard of doing it this way. But I just checked my copy of Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers, and sure enough, they say to press flat, then open.

So I should really give it a go. And read my books more thorougly.

Count me in! It sounds like a habit peeps should t...

2012-01-23T16:01:09.160-05:00

Count me in! It sounds like a habit peeps should totally have and I have been most lax. Maybe I can bribe myself with a cookie at the end?!

I tried this after reading your last post. I was ...

2012-01-23T15:44:04.793-05:00

I tried this after reading your last post. I was just working on a lining for a dress -- to be honest, I'm not sure if it made a difference or not!

Sewing techniques are like recipes in a cookbook; ...

2012-01-23T14:53:49.022-05:00

Sewing techniques are like recipes in a cookbook; if you don't like the one ingredient, there may be substitutions. Or just try a different recipe. As long as your final result is as professional in appearance as you want it to be, go for it! (I always ppf first and I'll attest to 'force of habit'.)

I have to finish knitting an afghan for my niece (...

2012-01-23T13:56:29.753-05:00

I have to finish knitting an afghan for my niece (who is due any day now), then I'm in! Looking forward to the results!