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Love it when handy things are affordable! |
I've used both, and until just recently, it was a scrap of
Bungle Jungle Elephant by Tim and Beck left over from my
quilted fabric letters
project.
A few months ago, while browsing in a local discount shop, I decided to spring for one of these "meshy" pressing cloths in exchange for only one dollar. I had seen these things since forever, but had never believed that they would work.
A few months ago, while browsing in a local discount shop, I decided to spring for one of these "meshy" pressing cloths in exchange for only one dollar. I had seen these things since forever, but had never believed that they would work.
This time, I figured that if it didn't work out as a pressing tool, I could
always use the mesh in a future sewing project.
Turns out, I was surprised and impressed and at a loss as to why it took me so long to climb on board this train.
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| Speaking out in favour of the mesh pressing cloth! |
This works wonderfully. Not only does the mesh allow me to see what I'm
pressing underneath, it allows what's underneath to stay in place.
You know how you're instructed to press instead
of iron when it comes to most iron-related operations in
sewing?
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| This now has a permanent home at my ironing station... |
Well, I usually manage to pick up and move the iron, but sometimes the
"picking up" turns out to be more of a dragging motion. Having this piece of
mesh over what I'm pressing makes the entire operation a lot less finicky
and infinitely more forgiving towards my occasional laziness.
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| Preparing to apply some fusible fleece... |
For example, whenever I apply interfacing to fabric, I usually pin it in place and then lightly go over it with the iron before removing the pins and completing the fusing. This is to prevent the interfacing from shifting out of place.
What I don't like about that solution is that the pins often leave behind an
imprint that's difficult to press away.
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With the capable assistance of this mesh pressing cloth, everything stays in place — I can even press on the fusible fleece side — and I don't have to worry about pin marks.
With the capable assistance of this mesh pressing cloth, everything stays in place — I can even press on the fusible fleece side — and I don't have to worry about pin marks.
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| Underneath it goes... |
For whatever reason, my previous hesitation in trying this out was that I
had no confidence in the mesh being able to handle the heat of the iron. Go
figure.
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| Ta da! |
Needless to say, this works for other situations where you'd normally want a
pressing cloth: to prevent sheen and scorching on certain fabrics and the
resulting mess that those issues might cause to the soleplate of your iron.
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| Perfect results top and bottom... |
As for actual ironing, this little cloth allows the iron to glide effortlessly over top. (I have an upcoming post about a recent project that was immensely easier to do because of this piece of mesh.)
Now, I've heard that if the fabric is extra delicate
that the pattern of the mesh may be imprinted during ironing, but that's not
likely to happen in my experience. (It was when I used a tea towel as a
pressing cloth, in that it would transfer the pattern of the weave to the item
being ironed!)
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As I said, I got my pressing cloth for a dollar, but I see all sorts of price points for these things (online). Some are out and out ridiculous and some are pricy probably due to being name brands. Not sure I'd pay even five bucks for a piece of mesh, so while I'm giving it the thumbs up here in this unofficial review, it is dependent on cost.
As I said, I got my pressing cloth for a dollar, but I see all sorts of price points for these things (online). Some are out and out ridiculous and some are pricy probably due to being name brands. Not sure I'd pay even five bucks for a piece of mesh, so while I'm giving it the thumbs up here in this unofficial review, it is dependent on cost.
In terms of size, this one is 40cm x 60cm, which is almost 15" x 24". Good
enough for what I'm doing and likely good enough for what most crafty sewers
would need.
'Til next...
'Til next...
Well, thank you for this post! I think I have one of those mesh things ‘somewhere’ that I bought many years ago, but I was afraid of using it for the same reasons you mentioned. I shall have to give it a try… if I can find it! Haha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review of the mesh pressing cloth, Rochelle. I haven't used one or even seen them for sale locally before. I usually use a pressing paper (Thermoweb brand). The paper works well, but you cannot see through it like the mesh, which would be an advantage. Plus eventually the paper tears. So I will search around to see what I can find in the mesh version (and see what prices they are too). Thanks!
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