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Monday, May 20, 2013

The Importance Of Ironing When Sewing + Another Giveaway!!!!!


Hi Darlings!


I cannot stress enough how necessary ironing is during the sewing process! it is SUCH an important factor in how your garments will look when finished. You will either end up with polished and professional looking pieces or the dreaded "homemade" look and no one wants something that looks unfinished and sloppy.

Sewing and ironing go hand in hand and as much I hate ironing I take pride in every seam I press or steam because I know it makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. I see al so ma pieces being made and posted that don't look properly pressed and that is a no-no darlings, if you spent the time sewing your garment you want it to look good right? 

If you follow my videos you know what I say "Sew a seam, Press a seam!! Sew a seam, Press a seam!! Here are some things to keep in mind..

1. First and foremost you should pretreat your fabrics.  If it is machine washable then wash and dry them before getting started. You don't want any shrinkage in your fabric to happen AFTER you have cut and sewn your garment.  

2. After pre washing and drying your fabric you MUST press your fabric before CUTTING so that you get ACCURATE cuts. It  impossible to get clean cuts when your fabric is wrinkled or warped so make sure to give it a good press first.

3. You cannot get a great finished item without pressing. You need your lines to be clean and if you don't press open your seams as your sewing (and press them to one side if called for) you wont get a straight crisp lines and you run the risk of having bubbles and wobbles in your seam lines and hems will make your items look "homemade" Also it's important t have your seams lay flat so that when joining pieces at the seam lines they will be flat and smooth and you can avoid bulk in those areas.


4. Always press your seams after you sew them! I know I say it all the time but pressing your seams is what gives your pieces shape especially if you are sewing curves, over a tailors ham of course, which I will talk about in a sec, in your sleeve caps, princess seams in the bust, darts or the hip area on a dress or skirt. It creates a "memory" of sorts in your fabric that will remain there. Ironing your seams and hems also allows the thread to meld into the fabric. This melding process is important because otherwise the thread sits on the surface of your fabric.

5. Avoid  ironing over chalk markings or fabric marking pens.

6. Pay attention to your heat settings, they are there for a reason and if the setting is for linen/cotton DONT use it on delicate fabrics. You will RUIN fabrics instantly if your don't use the right settings.

Tailors Ham
Seam Roll
Pressing Cloths
Pressing mat for my cutting table (quick access)
Iron
View the video below and go to my youtube channel! for details on how to enter and I will announce the winner on FRIDAY here on the blog!! Good Luck


Oliso Facebook Page ~ Mimi G Facebook Page

Special thanks to the folks at Oliso for their support of Mimi G Style and the wonderful giveaway!

xoxo
Mimi G

78 comments:

  1. I would love to receive this iron, Mimi. You have taught me the importance of ironing. Thank you. What a wonderful giveaway!

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  2. Okay, I'm LOV'n this iron! What! The I-Touch??!?!?!!

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  3. Thank you Mimi, like this iron you are amazing.

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  4. I am in love with this iron! Having a toddler, I get easily distracted and the ITouch feature is a dream.

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  5. I absolutely LOVE that iron!!! It genius!! That itouch feature is dope!!!!

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  6. Woot, woot, love the review! Thanks for the chance to win this iron, you have the best giveaways. I am praying that I win, LOL...if not it is fun trying. :-)

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  7. Your style is so classy and inspiring and you never over accessorize. I'm about to start sewing classes soon and would LOVE to have this iron to help me create beautiful pieces like yours.

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  8. This iron is THA BOMB! I get excited over the little things also. Thanks so much for being you and sharing your excitement and love for sewing with us all!

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  9. Thank you so much for this opportunity! You are crazy incredible... I would love to have the iron as I am pressing away to your tutorials.....

    Shwaylaj@gmail.com

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  10. This is a wonderful give away. I love the iron. My iron cannot do the job it was designed to do. It doesn't get hot.This iron with that I-Touch is great. I can see why you were excited.

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  11. Wowwww, what an amazing iron. It has feet such great technology, this would be awesome to have in my household. Thanks MiMi for your tutorial and your inspiration to want to DIM..

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  12. I really need a new iron right about now. Thanks for all your sewing help.

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  13. LOL, I think the feet are awesome, I am always burning because I walk away an leave the iron on the cloth for too long LOL!!!

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  14. LOL, I think the feet are awesome, I am always burning because I walk away an leave the iron on the cloth for too long LOL!!!

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  15. LOL, I think the feet are awesome, I am always burning because I walk away an leave the iron on the cloth for too long LOL!!!

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  16. LOL, I think the feet are awesome, I am always burning because I walk away an leave the iron on the cloth for too long LOL!!!

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  17. LOL, I think the feet are awesome, I am always burning because I walk away an leave the iron on the cloth for too long LOL!!!

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  18. Hi Mimi, I love your style, your reviews, and your sewing. I wish you the best with continued success!!! Thanks for the giveaway. I just started blogging (not gonna post the site here,, LOL) and would love to have this iron to assist me along the way. Stop by and give me a wave. Thanks again Mimi. You are such an inspiration.!

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  19. I usually don't enter your contests because I have so much "stuff" in my sewing room and I'd rather give a newbie a chance to win. HOWEVER! lol I have coveted one of these irons for a while now so I will definitely be entering this contest.

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  20. I would love to have this iron for my sewing projects please . On another note I came across your review on Pattern Review site a couple years ago and ever since then I have been a fan, keep up the good work I appreciate it.

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  21. I discovered your blog a couple weeks ago and became intrigued b/c my grandmother is a seamstress & I've become a fan of your work. For years I've watched her press outfits, tablecloths, sheets, you name it! This iron is revolutionary and a tool I'd love to use to myself! A well pressed outfit can help you go from drab to fab instantly!

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  22. Hi Mimi. I am in LOVE with this iron! We are a family of six, so we have gone through quite a few irons. I would love to have this one. It looks like it could stand up to what we'd put it through!

    BETTY

    **My apologies, I had to sign in Anonymous b/c I have no social network accts to sign in under. It helps with good stewardship of my time!!**

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  23. Oh this would be a dream for me. This was a very detailed review. I can only hope and pray for this iron. Karen J

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  24. Mimi, please delete my prior comment. I clicked the link above, but when I went to your Youtube channel, the requirements said to subscribe to your channel and also Like your FB page....I have no social network accts. Sorry about that. :(

    BETTY

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  25. I would love to have this iron. I just got a new sewing machine for a gift and have not sewed anything. I started sewing with my mother at 10 and stopped at age 20 Now at 51 I'm ready to start again. I'm claiming that iron. By the way you are awesome!!!!

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  26. Great giveaway and awesome blog.....thanks!

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  27. This iron is so dope....if i win i think im gonna give it as a gift to my grandmother....she taught me to sew and this would be a great way to say thanks

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  28. The Oliso is an awesome iron, great features especially the itouch no more scorching your projects when distracted!

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  29. WOW!!!! that Iron would be a life saver for me. I go to JoAnns regularly and look at all the irons there and I always say "Geesh" they're so much but I know I need it. What and awesome SMART Iron..... EXCITED!!!!

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  30. I just fell all the way in love with this smart iron. I was just saying how I needed to invest in a better iron, my $9 iron is not going to cut it on my projects.

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  31. I spent my youth ironing on a mangle--know that that is? We even ironed our sheets. Not that I still iron that way, but my trusty old iron is in need of retirement. I would love to win this happy yellow new iron. Thank you.

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  32. I would love this iron! I dont have facebook. I follow you on youtube, I follow your blog and instagram :)

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  33. I would love to own this iron. It is awesome and I was so excited after watching the review. I can only imagine how it would help me with my sewing projects.

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  34. I used an iron like this at my last quilt retreat and it was amazing! I would love to have one in my quilting studio! I really enjoy your blog ;) Thank you for all you share!
    Debra Hunt

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  35. What a brilliant iron, I would love to win this giveaway

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  36. Brilliant indeed.

    - Dionne Guy

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  37. Hi Mimi thanks for your generosity in giving away this fabulous iron. I hope that I'm the lucky winner, but most of all I'm thankful for your knowledge of the craft of sewing. Looking forward to a long relationship wiith my sewing machine and your tutorials.

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  38. Great giveaway! My father used to STRESS the importance of pressing while you sew - it makes the difference between a polished outfit vs an unpolished one...

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  39. Hi Mimi thanks for your generosity in giving away this fabulous iron. I hope that I'm the lucky winner, but most of all I'm thankful for your knowledge of the craft of sewing. Looking forward to a long relationship wiith my sewing machine and your tutorials.

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  40. This iron is a must have for me, win or lose! awesome!!

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  41. Great review, Mimi! I want that iron now. :)

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  42. This iron is the business and I need it. I'm so excited, I just moved and my hubby is letting me dedicate a room to sewing. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  43. Being a beginner I see how important the iron is in the whole sewing process... This would be a wonderful iron to have for my sewing projects...thanks to you and Oliso

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  44. That iron is the bomb... would love to have it!

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  45. I hope I win! I need this iron in my life!

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  46. I am drooling over this iron. I had to subscribe, like, and tweet.

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  47. I could really use this iron. I just started sewing again, and plan to keep on with it. I hope to eventually get good enough to make my mother-of-the-bride dress when my daughter gets married.

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  48. This Iron is amazing..I wouldn't mind having an iron that is durable and would last more than a year. What an awesome giveaway :)

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  49. The vertical steam feature, the two-inch detail plate, and the hand sensor are fantatstic features of this iron. Great giveaway!

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  50. I would love to win. I can be contacted at msyp1@aol.com Thanks

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  51. Hello Mimi Lady!!!! As much as I hate Ironing evertime I know it's important but I must say that feature is awesome This one has feet LOL that stand HUH!!!, I also noticed that when the iron fell over it didn't spill the water... I like that, I can feel the excitement...I need it in my new sewing room that I am so desperately trying to finish

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  52. I'd love to have this iron. It's amazing!

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  53. What!? Ha! I am have been sewing simple basics for a couple of years, but I think this iron would definitely help me succeed in the next level! Your blog is awesome.

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  54. Any sewingroom would be made complete with that iron. They should have paid you a small fortune for that review.

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  55. Love this iron I got to use it for a little while in a sewing class and would love to have one of my own.

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  56. That iron is awesome!!! I have to get one!!!! Thanks for this helpful post. I learn so much from you.

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  57. I don't usually participate in the giveaways, but this one, I must!!! You have no idea how much I need an iron. I have been having mine since highschool (over 10 years)! The steam barely works and leaves splashes of water on my clothes and fabrics and all the settings are scratched off so I never know what setting to use for my fabrics. I have been looking for irons to buy, but haven't found the right one (for the right price) yet. Needless to say, I can really use an iron! LOL!

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  58. My EXPENSIVE Roweta died. I need this iron. Love the color choice.

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  59. Love to have does iron, cause i love ironing while sewing.

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  60. I actually LIKE to iron. I find it relaxing. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway. I think this iron is awesome and would love to win it!

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  61. OMG! I have been watching this iron like forever, but simply can't afford it. I would love to win this giveaway. Good luck to all that enters. I have commented on you tube (I'm already subscribed), like Oliso on Facebook, and tweeted. I pray that this one goes to me. :-) I need this iron in my life and my sewing room. I promise to not let my hubby use it (he breaks everything somehow). Lol! Please let me when this.

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  62. OMG! I have been watching this iron like forever, but simply can't afford it. I would love to win this giveaway. Good luck to all that enters. I have commented on you tube (I'm already subscribed), like Oliso on Facebook, and tweeted. I pray that this one goes to me. :-) I need this iron in my life and my sewing room. I promise to not let my hubby use it (he breaks everything somehow). Lol! Please let me when this.

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  63. Mimi you are truly amazing. I come from a long line of seamstresses, tailors and upholsterers. I actually grew up in an upholstery shop(family business - had to work with my dad after school and on weekends). I could show my dad a dress, skirt, shirt or pair of pants, hat, etc. and he could make them for me without a pattern. I felt that I loss a lot of my childhood working in the shop not realizing the many future opportunities learning such a skill would offer me. When I left home I swore I would never ever cut, sew with or without a pattern, sew whelps, skirts, hems, make buttons, or even replace a button. Recently, my sister started sewing again and she told me about your blog. I reluctantly checked it out and to my surprise I have this renewed desire to sew again. I would love to present this iron to my sis as a gift (as she recently began taking private sewing lessons and as a thank you for inspiring me to check out your blog and Facebook page and once again entertaining the thought of sittng down at a sewing machine and work my god given/family trained talent, AND for pointing me in your direction because you truly are inspiring.

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  64. Hi Mimi, Absolutely love your blog and this iron. My first time ever trying to win anything but happy to participate.

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  65. Hi Mimi, absolutely love your blog and this iron. My first attempt at winning anything, but happy to participate.

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  66. I need this iron!!! I'm getting my sewing machine next week.

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  67. Super iron and I just discovered your site and love it.

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  68. I would LOVE to win this iron. It certainly make my garments more professional looking!

    Cynthia

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  69. Thank you for the chance at the give away! I really love the features of this iron.

    Patty

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  70. I have been watching your videos and following your blog for a few months now. Mimi, you have inspired & encouraged me to get back in the habit of sewing. Before, I would sew just to get by, mainly maxi dresses because I am 5'11 and store bought maxis stop at my calf. However, by tuning into to MimiGStyle, I have a new passion to enhance my skills, create more and get to the point where I can make all of my clothes, not just maxis. I am amazed by the Oliso Iron!!! I never realized how important it was to iron as you sew prior to discovering your blog. This Oliso would definitely be an asset to my quest to be the best seamstress I can be. I know it will also help out during jewelry making during those times when I am using fabric as a medium.

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  71. I need a new iron--this one far outshines the 15-year old Rowenta I'm using. It was my grandmother's so it has sentimental value, but would be happy to take a backseat to this Oliso!

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  72. I am sure my mom would like that iron so much. Our iron at home broke recently and it was the only one we had. We were using a steamer in place of it, because trying to buy a good iron to serve my mother's sewing needs and be accessible to my siblings and I is not an inexpensive feat. My mom hasn't been able to sew at all lately due our last iron being broken, but I'm certain the lift of the i-touch on this one will make her smile with joy. She could have her own sewing iron and wouldnt have to worry about the quality because that iron is perfect for what she needs to keep improving as a sewer.
    I am really impressed by the garments that she has been making recently, especially since she is just starting to get her feet wet with sewing. I wasn't able to afford a gift for Mother's Day this year... I am sure she would enjoy that though.

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  73. Love the iron and the blog. your things are wonderful and I love your style.

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  74. I didn't know irons like this existed. I am blown away. Thanks for the giveaway and sharing so much with us all :))

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  75. The same day you posted this Oliso iron on your blog, was the day that my iron went out, and I was in the middle of sewing my daughter a fifth grade graduation dress with one day left, I was distraught and almost in tears thinking I wasn't able to finish cause you need a iron when sewing is involved. Well since I was pressed for cash (meaning I couldn't go buy a new one) I went to the local thrift store and found an old fashioned mini mini non- steamer iron for $.99. It served its purpose cause I was able to finish the dress with many burns cause this is not a friendly iron "I sware the next time I use I will be wearing an oven mit." Overall this post has caused me to appreciate what a iron could do for you especially in the sewing environment. Thanks for alerting my sewing "spirit" I am now looking to invest in a top of the line iron.

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  76. This iron would be a dream come true-amazing how important ironing has become. Your tutorials are fantastic. Thank you for sharing.

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  77. Wondering if you are still happy with this iron. I was about to break down and buy it, but I'm reading a LOT of disappointing reviews about poor quality and terrible customer service.

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Thank you for taking time to comment ;-)

xoxo
mimi g.