Sewing Basics # 7 – How to make a Pressing Mitt

Following on from the tailor’s ham tutorial… here’s another handy little pressing aid that’s quick and easy to make. Start off with a paper template like this. Roughly the size of your hand (with fingers spread) and a 1cm seam allowance added on…

Then use it to cut one piece of thermal/heat resistant wadding…
3 pieces in calico and one in a pure wool…
Cut 2 mini versions of the main pattern pieces (in either fabric it doesn’t matter) and attach to 2 of the main calico pieces to create little pockets. (These will prevent you from accidentally sliding your fingers right to the tip of the mitt where the seam will make it less heat resistant)

Hem the straight edge of the wool piece and the remaining calico piece…

Sandwich and pin all the pieces together as follows:
1. Calico with pocket – Face/Right Side Down
2. Thermal wadding
3. Calico with pocket – Face/Right side Up
4. Hemmed Wool Piece – Face/Right side up
5. Hemmed Calico Piece – Face/Right side down
Then sew all around leaving the straight edge open…

Trim the seam allowance close to the stitching and whip stitch all the way round…

Then turn inside out so the hemmed wool is on one side and the hemmed calico is on the other…
The centre should be the thermal wadding sandwiched between the 2 pieces of calico with the pockets on them…

Turn in the raw edges and hand stitch the opening closed, attaching a hanging loop if you see fit…

Et Voila!  A pressing mitt…

 Next up, a sleeve roll…