Taking a survey - clapper used by tailors
 

It’s been said tailors use a “clapper” to lay on a freshly pressed seam to get it really flat and crisp. The wood absorbs the heat and steam. Any quilters use one when pressing ?

I bought one last year and it really does work.

I've heard the clapper works really well, but I just use a pile of magazines instead. Cheap, and I can use multiple piles of them for a little assembly line down my ironing board! Plus, when I have a really long seam, I can line them all up and do it all at once.

So, for your survey, I don't use a clapper - I use something else :D

I've used on for years. I bought it back in the day when I did a lot of tailoring. They really do work.

I don't own a clapper but I have used a tailor's ham or seam roll for making my seams flat. They work well.

I have used one for seams since I started quilting years ago. The first class I took a clapper was used. I have used it ever since. Now that the wool pressing mats are available and using the clapper my blocks are as flat as they can be, even flatter if I spin all the seams.

I use an old wooden rolling pin for getting seams really flat. Lay the seam over the length of it, and because it sits on top of the curve, the seam is the only area that gets the full heat of the iron.

That's a good idea Bobbinalong. I wouldn't have though of a rolling pin.

Yes, It really works, makes a difference in seam laying flat. I have used mine ever since I bought it.

I never even heard of one until I joined this board.

I have been using a clapper and I thought my seams looked flatter and better. My longarmer validated my belief when she mentioned how flat my seams were. I guess it works.

I have used one since my tailoring days. I thought that it would make nice seams for quilting just like it did for dressmaking and tailoring. But, I like the idea of the rolling pin. I just might need to give that a try.

I have a stainless steel rolling pin - it doesn't absorb the steam like wood does, so my seams get hit from both top and bottom. Also have found that a stainless steel bench scraper is great for protecting my fingers from steam when pressing the seams of long lengths of binding.

Wouldn't you have to use a clapper even if you used the rolling pin? The purpose of the clapper is to remove the heat and steam from the fabric after it's pressed.

my husband does woodworking and had a maple 2x4 -- I use that! (wood needs to be a hardwood variety, maple, oak...) Flat!
(he had the wood laying around. to purchase, the clapper would be cheaper)

Never used one, please explain the purpose.

I scrounged a piece of 2x4 from my son-in-law's scrap pile. Sanded rough edges off and it works great.

I purchased 2 of those clappers and I also have a wool pressing mat. Using them together, I love the results! I am keeping my eyes out for a sale on the clappers and will purchase 2 more of them. I love the wool mat also....I'm kind of sorry I didn't purchase a larger one (I got the 18" X 24").....I'd use the larger size up in a minute! Both good purchases in my eyes.

you might watch a video from Jordan fabrics. she uses a clapper at times. you just place it on the hot seam you just pressed and hold it there a bit. nothing to it.

You are suppose to slam the wood to the seam, thus the name clapper. There are lots of youtube videos how to use one.

One of the guys in my Guy Quilter group asked this week if I ever used one. I told him no, but Nancy Ziemen used them often and it seemed like a good idea. I think he has purchased one because he said we'd experiment at our next meeting.

It's not a hammer. Not one of those videos advocate using it to "clap" the seam.

Today I steam pressed a block then set a wooden cutting board on it for about 15 seconds. Nice results !

I found a point press at an estate sale. ( you can google it)it is made of wood and the base is a clapper or atleast I use it like one. I sew clothes for charity as well. I don't remember what I paid for it but I'm sure not much, maybe $5.

had to look up that point press LOL. I've seen them before but didn't know what they were called. I don't use either, but probably should look into it.
https://www.jacksonswoodworksllc.com...rs-clapper.htm

I got one after watching Nancy Zieman use it. It does work to make seams flat. I think it has to be used right after the iron comes up for best results.

From what I understand, the clapper is used to absorb the moisture of the the steam whilst pressing down on the seam. The drying out of the fabric whilst holding the seam flat gives the required result. The 'clap' comes from the noise of quickly getting it onto the seam as you remove the iron. It is not used as a hammer by repeatedly clapping on the seam.

I use my rolling pin method with a dry iron, but I guess it doesn't give the professional finish given when using the clapper. It is just better than using a flat ironing surface.

When I first started quilting, an older friend was helping me. She always used a wooden hand rail that she had cut various lengths to use when pressing. It is very inexpensive, and the flat side does not roll on your ironing board. You lay the seam along the rounded portion of the handrail and press. It does absorb the steam and you have really flat seams. I had gotten out of the habit until this discussion. I will have to try it again because it really did work well.

I also put a 2 or 3 pound hand weight on top of the clapper and let it set for a little bit. I tend to assembly-line sew....so while the seams are setting on 2 blocks (with the clappers and weights on each new seam), I am trimming another 2 squares......then, pick up the weights, the clapper, move the blocks and then press the new blocks, clapper down and weight on top. Maybe I'm getting a little muscle? If not, at least the weights add some "pressure" to the clapper and I'm using the weights!

I use a textbook that I resent having bought. I place it on a block after ironing, and leave it until cool. It makes the seams nice and flat, and makes it feel like I'm getting some value out of the big, heavy, boring book!

Just bought one and its great. Found mine in an Etsy shop and it was relatively inexpensive, as they can be quite pricey. P.M. me if you want the shop's name.

Nancy's Notions has the tailor's clapper on sale now.