Clover Needlecraft

Tool School: Pressing Station

Pressing Station essentials represent the perfect, most purposeful tools for fabric manipulation at both the pressing station and the sewing table. There are lots of craft applications too.

Watch Tool School here: 

And read our product overview below. 


What is it?

We’ve all seen it. Two friends make the same sewn project using the same pattern and similar fabrics and threads. Both friends are accomplished sewists so we’re kind of expecting the finished projects to look the same or, at least, similar. And yet somehow, they’re not. One is a little more rumpled and uneven. The intersecting seams don’t lie flat and the stitch-work stands out so far as to be obvious when it shouldn’t be. And there’s something about the darts that just isn’t right. But the other one, well the other one is quite the opposite. 

What is the sewing magic at play that allows us to view one and say “nice work” when while viewing the other we can only say “nice try”? It’s simple and it’s just one word. Pressing. One word but it’s just as important to our process as measuring, cutting and sewing. Basically, pressing makes our quilt block, sewn garment or home décor project pieces come together more accurately, without puckering or pleating. It’s the difference between “handmade” and “homemade”. Taking the time to press every seam is the magic that makes all the difference. But if we’re going to do it, it makes sense to do it right, right? Procedure – press the seam flat first and then press it open or to the side. Tools – the right tool for the right job.  And that’s where we come in. If pressing is so important to the creative process then precise pressing is essential. 

To that end we have developed five very useful pressing tools to assist us. The Hold It Precision Stiletto, Hot Hemmer and Hot Ruler, Fabric Folding Pen and Roll & Press. Each has its place and each contributes to that much sought after “finished” appearance.


What do they do?

Fabric manipulation is at the very center of any sewn project. We measure it, mark it, cut it, fold it, pin it, sew it and press it. We manufacture tools that assist us at every step of that process. Five of them are particularly essential to pressing seams – the Hold It Precision Stiletto, the Hot Hemmer and Hot Ruler, the Fabric Folding Pen and the Roll & Press.

Hold It Precision Stiletto

The Hold It Precision Stiletto is a tool that is flawless in design and function. It resembles a long pen and should be held as such. One end has a gentle curve and sports a pointed tip. The other end is straight and has a silicone coated tip that is somewhat angled and flattened to increase its holding function.

Photos courtesy of Pressing Tool Roundup by Faith Essenburg

Hold It Precision Stiletto
Art. No 7807

Hot Hemmer & Hot Ruler

The Hot Hemmer and Hot Ruler will revolutionize the way you do hems, mitered corners and pressed curves. They truly are the “go to” tools for anyone who does hems, mitered corners or pressed curves. Both are made of a nylon-based fiber board that does not retain heat when ironed, does not slide on smooth fabric and are loaded with useful measuring and angle markings and cutouts. The Hot Hemmer is 6″ x 5″ with a rounded corner for pressing curves and a square cut out corner for measuring in and over at the same time. The Hot Ruler is 10″x 2 1/2″ and is designed for completing longer hems in minimum time.

The Hot Hemmer and Hot Ruler have many useful applications. Here are a few.

Photos courtesy of Holiday Cloth Napkins by Dori Troutman

Hot Hemmer & Hot Ruler 
Art. No 7806 & 7811

Fabric Folding Pen

The Fabric Folding Pen is essentially a felt tip pen that allows us to trace either straight or curved lines and then fold our fabric along that specific line and either finger press or iron to form a sharp, lasting edge. The applications are endless and make fabric manipulation quick, easy and precise.

Fabric Folding Pen
Art. No 4053

Roll & Press

A revolutionary accessory in the line up of pressing tools. Think finger pressing on steroids. Several design features make it unique. First of all the handle is ergonomically designed to make it both comfortable and easy to manipulate. The roller is designed with a slight arc so you can “finger press” seams without leaving edge marks. The roller also presses without pulling or distorting our fabric as we press. Perfect for everything from paper piecing to folding heavy laminates. Keep it at your sewing station for quick and easy work.

Roll & Press
Art. No 7812


How do I share it?

Pressing Station essentials represent the perfect, most purposeful tools for fabric manipulation at both the pressing station and the sewing table. There are lots of craft applications too. In both design and function there are no more useful durable tools. A quick in-store demo or during a class everyone can instantly see how many ways these tools can be applied to what they love to do. They will quickly become the essential magic to helping them achieve handmade instead of homemade.


Watch Tool School here: 

Sign up for Tool School, our bi-monthly e-newsletter.

Visit our Tool School website! 

Stay connected with Clover on Facebook Twitter Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | Ravelry


Enter your email address to subscribe to Clover USA's blog and receive email notifications of new posts.

Exit mobile version