Clapper - The Pressing Tool for Flatter Seams, Hems and Creases. Perfect for sewing or quilting!

The Madam Sew Clapper is a perfect pressing tool for helping both sewists and quilters achieve flatter seams, hems and creases (think pleats). The clapper helps to set a fabric fold and keep it flat, sharp, and crisp. A clapper is especially helpful when you are working with a delicate fabric that you can’t iron such as sheers or velvet. Or heavy fabrics like wool or denim. But it is equally useful for other fabrics.

The clapper is a tool that has been used by professional tailors and seamstresses for a long time. It is perfect for pressing those little tight spots without getting your fingers burned.

Seasoned quilters use clappers to help get their seams to lay flatter and crisper than an iron can make them especially when you have several seams meet. And, no hot irons scorching your fingertips!

Use it in conjunction with an iron or use it with just steam and a wool pressing mat. It’s also great to use with a Hot Hem Ruler.

Our clapper is made of Beech Wood which is a fast growing hardwood. Being made of hardwood gives it a good weight plus the design is perfect for gripping the clapper while pressing straight down on the fabric. And it’s top and bottom are smooth so you don’t have to worry about snagging your fabrics.

Size: 1.25”H x 9.5”L x 2”/2.5” W (3.4cm x 24cm/6.3cm x 5cm)

Material: Sawleaf Zelkova (a quick growing hardwood of the Elm family)

Clappers are also known as Tailor’s or Tailors clappers, Fabric clappers and Quilter’s or Quilters clappers.

How to Use:

1. Steam press or iron your seam, hem, crease or pleat. 

2. Then, immediately place your clapper down on your seam, hem, crease or pleat. 

3. Hold for 5-10 seconds or until the fabric beneath has cooled. This sets the fibers in place.

If you are working with a delicate fabric that you cannot use an iron on or if you don’t want the back fabric (like a seam in quilting) to show, only apply steam. Use enough to make the fabric slightly damp. Using too much steam can also stretch the fabric or make it too damp.. Then, place your clapper down on your seam, hem, crease or pleat and hold for 5-10 seconds or until the fabric beneath has cooled.

Use it when:

• Sewing pleats, darts or creases in pants, skirts, tops, dresses and more

• Creating smooth and flat hems, particularly in thicker fabrics or those prone to bubbling.

• Use it when quilting to help stubborn seams stay flat, including ones where several seams meet

• Ensuring collars and cuffs have a crisp, professional appearance

• Use it on fragile fabrics

• Use it on heavier fabrics

• Use it with a Wool Pressing Mat

• Use it with a Hot Hem Ruler (think table cloth or curtain edges)

See it in action:

Watch the Clapper Video Demonstration to see the clapper in use on various projects.