tailors ham

Not yet... ;)

Mike, I looked through several sites, and can't find actual instructions, but it shouldn't be too difficult to just make one. If you can find one at a store to surreptitiously measure for size and shape, then you could certainly do this on your own.

I have two. One is from the late 1960s, and was a Christmas gift from my mother (for whom I sewed many business and dance outfits). It's stuffed with sawdust, very compactly. The other one is smaller, and dates from maybe the mid- to late

80s, and I believe it is stuffed with wool scraps. I also have a sleeve roll from the early 70s, and it seems to be stuffed with sawdust, also.

The top sides of all these are made of a wool flannel (all plaid, for some unknown reason), and the bottom is made of drill cloth, which is all cotton, and similar to canvas. The purpose of the wool is so you can use that side for woolen fabrics, and you use the cotton side for lighter fabrics.

The hard part is stuffing them tightly enough, as I recall from my sewing teacher telling us about making them (although we didn't make them in class). They have to be firmly filled, in order that your work fits over the various curves and doesn't collapse from the weight of the fabric and iron. I pound the heck out of mine sometimes when I'm working with wool; after pressing, I often clap the seams while they're still over the ham or sleeve roll.

Hope this helps! May I ask what you intend to make that requires a ham?

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

I made one a few years back, made out of strong canvas and stuffed with rice. It works great.

Lili

My vote is: find one at the store and buy it.............

I have a couple blouse and jacket projects in mind for my wife and it would be helpfull pressing shoulder seams and I'm being asked to make hooded fleece scarves for people alot lately. It would make it easier to press out the seam around the back of the hood part. Mike in Wisconsin

I have found both tailor's ham and sleeve roll in thrift stores, in excellent, like-new condition, probably donated by people who thought they would try tailoring, then found out that it takes time, effort and skill. ;-)

Or from estates, etc., as well.

Mike, you don't really need a pressing ham, you know, although it's handy to have. You can also use the edges of the ironing board, among other things.

Another excellent way to make a sleeve roll is to very tightly roll up magazines, then cover them with batting, and then with a very tight cover. Wool and cotton drill are recommended. I've known people who took tailoring classes who have made these for their class.

There is also a wooden tool by June Tailor that looks very strange, but has nearly every curve you need for pressing. I can't think of what it's called. Hold on, I'm looking at Sew Any Fabric--it's called a Tailor Board. You can buy or make covers for this, too, which then functions like both a pressing ham and a point presser.

Hope this helps!

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

Wooden rolling pin inside a tea towel, for a sleeve roll, and just roll towels up for the ham: that's what I did for years. Now I have one of each, given as presents. Somewhere I have seen instructions for making a ham, and if i find them, I'll let you know. It may be in an old sewing book.

Re: tailors ham

You people do like unnecessary work, don't you? I paid something like $12 for a ham and $8 for a seam roll at my local fabric store. I'd rather use my sewing time for something I can wear or sit on!!

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Or like me, find one at a garage sale and snap up a bargain. Since I bought it from my neighbor, I found out that she took a class long ago and made it herself. It's a nice one.

Marilyn

But Mary, it's for the experience for a rookie, me Mike in Wisconsin

That's my thought, that making one would be better than what you can buy today. I've noticed that my newer ham isn't as tightly stuffed as the older one. And the ones I've seen in the stores now are not nearly as nice as either of mine.

And you can't always expect to find what you're looking for at thrift stores or yard sales! If only....

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

:)Does anyone have instructions or know a website with instructions for making :)a tailors ham? :) Mike in Wisconsin :)

It's the thrill of the hunt! Not to mention the treasures you find while looking for something specific.

Thanks for all the responses. Besides just wanting a tailors ham the construction would be good experience. I'm still pretty much a rookie at sewing so I'll try all kinds of things just for the experience :) Mike in Wisconsin

That's the spirit, Mike! Let us know how it turns out, okay? Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

I've seen pictures in old tailoring book of shaped hams. The ones I've seen (and the one I bought) are just egg shaped. One of these days I'm going to make one with the proper shape, unless anyone knows where to buy one. Another useful item is a ham holder. You could improvise one, but the one I have is molded plastic. It's made by June Tailor and show a picture of a traditional shaped ham. I applaud Mike for wanting to make one, but I personally would rather use my sewing time for things to wear.

Joy S-E ...