A tailor's ham is a brilliant tool to help you easily iron curved seams such as armholes or necklines. Ironing is key to having a well-made garment, so make this easy tailor's ham and you will find sewing much better!
Fabrics to use:
You will generally notice that tailor's hams have two different fabrics for either side. This isn't just for the look, one side will be made of a firm sturdy fabric which can deal with high heat. And the other side is for a lighter, more pliable fabric, with a lower heat tolerance. This means that depending on what strength of fabric you want to press, you use the corresponding side of the ham.
For the stronger side of the fabric, you can use denim, canvas, suede, etc.
For the lighter fabric, you can use cotton, linen, jute, etc.
Avoid all synthetic fabrics (such as polyester) as they will burn and melt easily under constant heat.
The stuffing:
Traditional tailor's hams were filled with sawdust, but sawdust is no longer the easiest thing to purchase, and it can get quite messy. The other traditional option is pure wool stuffing, but once again, it is quite expensive to buy. Unfortunately, you cannot use just polyester stuffing, as being a synthetic material, it has types of plastics in it, which inevitably burn and melt. The best option that I have found is fabric scraps! I am always looking for a way to use the little scraps of fabric which I am never going to use, but always keep. So, take your scissors, cut your craps up very small, and use them as stuffing!
I will also be teaching you how to draw the paper pattern from scratch, so everything about this pattern is FREE!
Here is a video for extra help:
What You Will Need:
Paper/ruler/drawing equipment
Approximately one fat quarter of two different types of fabric
General sewing equipment
Method:
The Paper Pattern:
Draw a horizontal line of 4"
Along either end of this line, measure 1"
From these marks, measure 1" vertically
From these new marks, draw vertical lines of 7"
Repeat this process to finish the bottom of the 'rectangle'
Starting in one corner, measure the distance between the two lines, and mark the middle.
From this centre mark, draw a line of 1.5" into the centre of the rectangle.
Connect the top corners with the 1.5" lie to create a dart.
Repeat this process with all of the corners.
Cut the rectangle out, including the darts.
Sewing the Tailor's Ham:
Cut your paper pattern out of one of each of your fabric
Fold one dart right sides together. Pin in place.
Repeat with all of the darts.
Sew darts with a 1/4" seam allowance.
Repeat with your second piece of fabric.
Pin your two pieces right sides together, matching all four seams together.
Sew around the fabric, leaving a small gap on one side.
Turn right sides out, poking all four corners out.
Stuff your ham until very firm.
Sew the gap closed using a ladder stitch
Now you can use your tailor's ham to iron difficult seams and create a lovely finish to your handmade garments!
Here is a vidoe for extra help:
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