This video discusses the various features of home sewing machines and irons. Home sewing machines come in a variety of price ranges, and have many different features. However, they are not made to stand up to the daily heavy use of a workroom. Industrial sewing machines have metal parts, which make the machines last longer than home machines with plastic parts. In addition, industrial machines are made to sew faster, for the production sewing that occurs in a drapery workroom or upholstery workroom.

Home irons are often used in drapery sewing, to press open valance seams, for example. Commercial irons are also available, which have separate water reservoirs so that the iron will have steam available for longer periods of time and to prevent water spitting.

Pressing tools are useful, regardless of which type of iron you have. Tailor’s hams, pressing cloths, tailor boards, and small ironing board are useful to press points, to keep fabrics from getting shiny from too much heat, and to keep seam allowances from imprinting through the fabric.

To learn more about pressing and ironing, please visit: Ironing And Pressing Techniques and Aids and Ironing and Pressing Workroom Tools.