Presscloths and Press mitts

Rowena__.

greeings all! next in the series of pressing aids!

When I first learned to sew, my aunt taught sewing at a university and taught me to make my own presscloths. We cut pieces of muslin, rubbed beeswax in it and kept pressing between pieces of newsprint until it was permanently set. I still use these cloths, because I know what's in them, and I don't really know what's in the ones I buy at the store. 

The tailor's mitt or pressing cushion is something I don't use very often but I have it when I need it. You need:

1--a piece of heavy muslin for the mitt and the outer cover

2--a piece of wool for the cover

3--wool scraps or sawdust from kiln-dried wood

To make the inner mitt: cut two rectangles from the muslin, about 6-1/2inches by 9 inches. round the corners at one end.  Sew all around the mitt, leaving the straight end open for stuffing. Turn right side out.  If you will use wool scraps, soak the wool in a bucket of water until it is really wet. If you will use sawdust, do not wet. stuff the mitt until tight but not bulging. Sew up the open end and let dry.

To make cover: cut a piece of wool and a piece of muslin, each about7-1/2inches by 11 inches. Round the corners on one end. Sew together leaving the straight edge open like before. Turn right side out and hem the open end of the cover.  When the mitt is dry, slip it into the cover and it's ready to use!  You can slip your hand inside to hold the mitt for control in pressing small, tight curves, or you can slide the mitt onto the end of a sleeve board so that both hands are free.