My right shoulder isn't what it used to be and I find it difficult to exert pressure when steam pressing. Has anyone used a clothes presser to fuse their projects during the finishing process? I assume they work fine but wanted to get opinions from other weavers before getting one for myself. I'm talking about something like this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Simplicity-Quick-Press-with-Clothes-Shaver-SP100/5006458 or maybe even a higher-end model.

Comments

Mon, 04/29/2013 - 06:57

laurafry

I used one of these (not exact, but similar) for many years to hard press my hand woven textiles.  Glad to see they are still available.

cheers,

Laura

Mon, 04/29/2013 - 08:58

ReedGuy

Hey, that looks like a great outfit if it's well built. Seems inexpensive for $99. I wonder how it would handle table clothes?

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 05:39

Weavin Steven

I just read some online reviews of the particular model I posted earlier. That model only presses but does not steam. It comes with an included spray bottle though, ha! I think if I were to get a machine like this, it should have a built-in steamer. That way every time something is pressed, an equal amount of steam would be applied rather than trying to get equal coverage by spraying from a bottle.

As for using it for table clothes I don't see why not. It says it's good for all types of fabric. 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 13:38

Michael White

I purchased a "stream" press a few years ago for Cheryl. It looked like this but was on a stand and was a true stream press. It works great for pressing small items, ex dish towels The problem is it is not deep enough at the back. To be ready great it needs a very deep arm. Michael
Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:14

Weavingholiday

You can get pretty good results with a spray bottle if you gently spray what you want to press, then fold in the sides, and roll up. Lightly spray the outside of your roll, and leave, with edge on the roll down, to sit for maybe 15 minutes or a bit more, depending on how dense the fabric and big the roll. The moisture will even itself out very well, and places that can be hard to get to with just a steam iron or press (thick seams, for instance) will become nicely dampened. Learned from my grandmother who had been a laundress.

 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 15:14

Weavingholiday

You can get pretty good results with a spray bottle if you gently spray what you want to press, then fold in the sides, and roll up. Lightly spray the outside of your roll, and leave, with edge on the roll down, to sit for maybe 15 minutes or a bit more, depending on how dense the fabric and big the roll. The moisture will even itself out very well, and places that can be hard to get to with just a steam iron or press (thick seams, for instance) will become nicely dampened. Learned from my grandmother who had been a laundress.

 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 16:06

Michael White

in action today.

 

 

 

Lots of steam. The metal plate gets very hot and will burn you. Ask me how I know.

 

Michael

 

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 16:38

ReedGuy

Yes, steam will heat metal up pretty hot. I steam wood in galv air duct that I insulated with foam. Touch the metal when the chamber is full of steam and it's mighty hot. ;D

Looks like a nice outfit Mike.

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 19:42

laurafry

My little press was not a steam press so I just spritzed the cloth and it worked fine. ;) Laura
Wed, 05/01/2013 - 17:30

KarenIsenhower

Weavingholiday, you brought back memories of watching my mother prepare items for ironing, just as you described. If she didn't have time to finish, the rolled items were put in plastic bags and placed in the refrigerator until she had a chance to get back to it. Haha. It always seemed odd to find clothes in the frig!