Quilt clappers
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 180
My husband is a woodworker. Does anyone have plans, or a resource, for making a clapper? I know I can google it but he asked if someone has found specific instructions that they like that a woodworker would use.... Thanks in advance.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Iowa
Posts: 495
The one my DH made is 8"long, 2.5" wide on one end, tapering to about 2" on the other, and 1.5 or so " high. The ends are rounded. As someone mentioned earlier, you could basically grab a hunk of wood out of his scrap pileand use it, but you would want it sanded nicely. Think about what size blocks you normally make and adjust the length accordingly. Mine is a little short, so I will have him make another that is about 12" long.
#25
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,396
I do know the wood has to be certain type of wood, solid hard wood, no slivers, not pine. My DH does woodworking and said it costs about the same to make one as to buy one unless you already have the wood as scrap.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
I use a clapper on my garments but its also great on seams in quilts. A little heat/steam put the clapper on for a few seconds and you have a flat seam. I get mine from Angela Wolf, she has a big one and a mini one.
#27
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,315
I have the long one with handle. I took a precision piecing class and the instructor told us put the iron on a seam leave it there for at least 30 seconds, take off the iron and put a ruler the size of the piece on top, put a book on top of that and let is set for up to 10 min or more until completely cool. Of course she made national quilt show quilts and it showed.
I use a thick wood cutting board for big blocks.
I use a thick wood cutting board for big blocks.
#28
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,396
was the instructor Sally Collins? Or maybe the instructor used her methods. I love her although as much as I try I will never do precision piecing. I have a clapper and a wool pressing mat and when I use the method you described things are very flat. I have also started pressing most seams open.