Machine Embroidery Terms: P is for Pressing

We'll show you the difference between ironing and pressing - and when each should be done. Most of the time, we say we will iron our embroidery, iron fusible web, or iron GlitterFlex. What we really want to do, at times, is press with an iron. So, what is the difference?

Ironing consists of moving the iron back and forth on the surface of the fabric and helps smooth out wrinkles. Pressing involves a stationary iron positioned on top of the fabric, picking it up and moving it over to another position to press all the surface area. Therefore, ironing is a side-to-side motion on the surface of the fabric and pressing is an up and down stationary process.  

Ironing Machine Embroidery

Bonnie’s secret to crisp, beautiful embroidery projects? Two techniques help ensure a professional finish.

Bonnie sprays her fabric with starch and irons it before embroidery. That not only makes fabric perfectly smooth, ironing the fabric also helps keep stitch registration in check, makes hooping easier, and keeps puckering at a minimum.

She also irons the project after embroidery, and not in the way we are most familiar.

Just place a plush towel over your ironing area. Spray the back of the embroidery with starch, place the embroidery right-side down on the towel, and then iron to smooth out. The towel gives embroidery somewhere to go without flattening it out. As a result, thread stands up off of the fabric for noticeable definition. You can read more about it and get a video link here.

Pressing GlitterFlex

Pressing is essential when working with fusibles like GlitterFlex which can become distorted by the movement of ironing. Once warm, the back-and-forth push and pull of ironing can make hills and valleys in GlitterFlex.

 This is what happens if you get too excited and forget to fuse GlitterFlex.

Pressing heats the GlitterFlex adhesive without distorting the glittery surface. Since irons and heat presses differ, always do a test using a piece of GlitterFlex on a scrap of cotton fabric. Read more about tips and tricks for fusing GlitterFlex here.

What tips do you have for pressing and ironing?

Debbie Henry
Sew Inspired by Bonnie