A Tailor’s Clapper - A Tool You Need to Have

Yes, if you sew or quilt you NEED a Clapper for sewing and quilting! Seriously, you’ll be amazed how this simple tool can take your projects to the next level. Read on to find out more!

When I’m talking about a clapper…

I don’t mean someone that will clap for you when you finish a project, though that’s not a bad thing. In fact, I kind of think that we need those too. Or at least someone to give us praise. Mirror Mirror on the wall…tell me I’m a good sewist or quilter after all! 🙂

I am also not referring to the plastic hands that are often used by companies at an employee rally or meeting and yes…I have used those in my previous jobs. Maybe you have too!

And…I don’t mean the nifty little gadget that helps you turn your lights on or off with the clap of the hand. Although, it might not be a bad thing to have for those times you just don’t want to get up from your sewing table. What…don’t judge me, I get a little…focused.

So, if the Clapper I’m talking about is not one of the previously mentioned items then what is it and why is it important?

Simply put, a Clapper is a pressing tool. But it’s not just any pressing tool! It’s a specially shaped piece of hardwood that is used to flatten seams, hems and creases (think pleats and darts).

The Clapper, also known as a Tailor’s Clapper, Fabric Clapper, or Quilter’s Clapper was invented over 120 years ago. It is used by tailors and dressmakers to get a professional finish that a home sewist just can’t achieve on her or his own. Tailors and dressmakers found using a Clapper extremely helpful when working with difficult fabrics like wool. It’s been a secret of theirs for a long while and now it’s time for it to become an invaluable tool for all sewists, quilters and crafters!

If you have gone to a flea market, estate sale or even through your aunt’s, grandmother’s or even mom’s sewing items (with their permission of course…), you may have accidentally come across a smooth piece of wood…a Clapper…and didn’t know what to do with it. I can tell you I wouldn’t have known how useful it is, it’s just a piece of wood right? Not knowing what it is, you may have thought (or maybe just me)…vintage decor or paperweight or even a weapon. I guess it could be those things, but no, it’s actually an indispensable tool.

Clappers, at least the good ones, are made of hardwood like Oak, Maple or Beech. They have a smooth flat surface on the top and bottom and a side that is grooved so you can grip it easily. Clappers run from 7” - 12” long. Some are the same width on both ends while others have a skinnier end and a wider end within a 1.75” - 3” width range. The height is usually 1.25” - 1.5” with a ¾”-1” wide grip groove on the side. Being of a hardwood, they also have a decent weight to them.

The Madam Sew Clapper is one of the clappers with the two different width ends making it easier to grab and hold in different sized hands. Check it out if you want to learn more about ours and the specifics on how to use a Clapper. But back to Clappers in general...

Can you make your own? Sure, but you can’t just use a 2” x 4” from the hardware store; it has to be a hardwood of the right thickness, width and length. You have to get the shape just right (using fancy woodwork equipment and carpentry skills) and it has to be smooth so you don’t snag your fabric or ruin your project. So, if you are a woodworker, then maybe all of the effort to make your own is okay for you. If not...get one that is ready made and ready to use.

Tailors and dressmakers used to clap the Clapper down (probably why it’s called a Clapper…just saying) on seams that didn’t want to stay flat like on wool coats and jackets. But honestly, you don’t have to use that kind of force to make the Clapper work.

When a Clapper is placed and then gently pressed on a steam ironed or spritzed and ironed seam, pleat, dart or crease, it absorbs the moisture and heat from the fabric beneath it. The moisture and heat you added to the fabric by steaming or spritzing and ironing help the fabric threads relax and become easier to work and to set. With the help of the Clapper these come out even flatter and better. You just have to gently press and hold the Clapper in place for 5-10 seconds while the fabric cools and the moisture from it is absorbed.

Show and tell with family and friends? Uh…that’s not quite it.

Use a Clapper when sewing clothes (tailoring). Use it on any seam, hem, dart, or pleat you want to set and flatten. The Clapper will help you get better results than a steam press alone. It is especially helpful on thick or hard to work with fabrics like wool and denim. It’s also very handy for delicate fabrics that you can’t iron, like velvet or velour: you’ll avoid those nasty iron marks (I know you’ve seen those…I know I have.) on your fabric but still get a nice press.

Use a Clapper when you are making table cloths, curtains or other items that have a hem. And if you have one, a hot hem ruler will help make “even” hem pressing even faster. The result: sharp, professional looking hems. Who doesn’t want those?

And if you quilt, this tool will make the many individual seams in a quilt lay flatter. And it can tame those multiple seams that meet in one spot too! And flatter seams mean your quilt will lay better and will be easier to quilt as well. I’d say that’s a win, win.

Don’t sew clothes or home goods or quilts? That’s okay!

If you sew small items that are part of a craft, hobby or business, this tool is for you too! The Clapper is specially suited to help with tight or little seams. Why? Well, who wants to accidentally burn their fingers while trying to iron and hold down little seams? I don’t and you don’t have to. A Clapper comes in handy in these situations, just use it on your project as stated above to get professional looking results.

A Clapper is handy for sewing, quilting and crafting. I hope you see why tailors and dressmakers have been using this nifty tool for over a century. And, now that you are in on the secret, give the Clapper a chance and find out for yourself how it can make a difference on your projects.

If you already use a Clapper, let us know what you think of this secret, not so secret anymore tool. What do you use it for? How has it changed the quality of your projects from when you didn’t use it to now when you do. We’d love to hear from you and I’m sure our readers will benefit from your experienced input.

Cathy Jaynes
Product Developer, Quilter and Quilt Blogger