Yes, if you aim for professional-looking pressed seams and perfectly sculpted shaping in your sewing projects, especially those with curves.
A tailor's ham is an indispensable pressing tool for anyone serious about achieving high-quality garment construction. Unlike a flat ironing surface, its unique, firm, and curved shape is specifically designed to replicate the contours of the human body, allowing you to press curved seams and shaped areas without creating unwanted creases or flattening the garment's intended form.
What is a Tailor's Ham?
A tailor's ham is a dense, firmly stuffed, ham-shaped cushion, typically covered in wool on one side and cotton on the other. The wool side is ideal for higher heat settings and effectively absorbs steam, while the cotton side is suitable for medium-to-lower heat fabrics. Its various curves and rounded edges provide the perfect surface for pressing any part of a garment that isn't flat.
When is a Tailor's Ham Essential?
This specialized tool is perfect in garment pressing for curved areas like darts, sleeves, cuffs, collars, and waistlines. Its ability to support the fabric's natural curve during pressing is crucial for professional results.
Achieving Professional Shaping
- Darts: When inserting darts into a garment, a tailor's ham helps create shaping that mimics the needed contours. Instead of pressing a dart flat, which can make it appear stiff, you press it over the curve of the ham to maintain the garment's three-dimensional shape. This is particularly vital for bodice and skirt darts that need to conform to the body.
- Curved Seams: Whether it's a princess seam, a sleeve cap seam, or a curved pocket opening, pressing these over a ham allows the seam allowances to be pressed open or to one side smoothly, without distorting the main fabric.
- Collars and Cuffs: The rounded edges of the ham are excellent for shaping collars and cuffs, ensuring they lay smoothly and have a gentle, natural curve.
- Waistlines: When finishing a contoured waistline, using a ham helps set the curve and prevent the fabric from puckering or becoming rigid.
Enhancing Garment Quality
Using a tailor's ham helps to:
- Prevent Impressions: It stops seam allowances from pressing through to the right side of the fabric, a common issue when pressing curved seams on a flat surface.
- Create Smooth Transitions: It ensures smooth, rounded edges and beautifully defined curves that contribute to a garment's overall drape and fit.
- Work with Challenging Fabrics: Fabrics like wool, linen, and some synthetics benefit greatly from the precise steam absorption and shaping a ham provides, helping to set creases exactly where desired and eliminate unwanted ones.
When Can You Manage Without One?
While highly recommended for serious sewers, you might be able to manage without a tailor's ham if your projects are very simple and primarily involve flat seams. For instance:
- Basic quilting: Most quilting projects involve straight seams and don't typically require curved pressing.
- Simple home decor: Items like flat curtains, tablecloths, or tote bags with minimal shaping may not necessitate a ham.
- Beginner projects: If you are just starting and focusing on very basic, flat sewing techniques, you might defer purchasing one.
However, once you move into garment sewing or projects requiring any degree of shaping, a tailor's ham quickly becomes an invaluable asset for achieving a polished finish.
Benefits of Using a Tailor's Ham
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Curved Surface | Mimics body contours, perfect for pressing darts, sleeve caps, and collars. |
| Firm Density | Provides stable support for precise pressing and shaping. |
| Dual Fabric Sides | Accommodates various fabric types and heat settings (wool for high heat, cotton for moderate). |
| Steam Absorption | Helps set creases and remove wrinkles effectively without over-wetting. |
| Prevents Flattening | Ensures garments maintain their intended three-dimensional shape. |
For more detailed guides on pressing techniques, consider exploring reputable sewing resources online, such as this comprehensive sewing pressing guide (link for illustrative purposes).
Making the Decision: Do You Need One?
Consider your sewing goals and the types of projects you undertake:
- If you sew garments (dresses, shirts, jackets, pants, etc.) or projects with any three-dimensional shaping, a tailor's ham will significantly elevate the quality and appearance of your finished work.
- If you desire professional-looking results and want your handmade items to rival ready-to-wear clothing in terms of finish, it's a worthwhile investment.
- If your projects are mostly flat and involve straight seams, you might not feel the immediate need, but it's a valuable tool to acquire as your skills and project complexity grow.
Ultimately, a tailor's ham is a small investment that makes a substantial difference in the professional finish of shaped sewing projects.
