How to make a tailor's ham (3637 Views)

Make a tailors ham to help with pressing your seams.

view all steps

Step 1 of 5

Cut out a paper template in the shape you see in the photo. Mine is roughly the size of an A4 sheet.
Step 2 of 5

Cut out 4 pieces and sew together around the edge leaving a small opening in one side. Clip curves and turn right side out.
Step 3 of 5

Stuff tightly with scraps between the second and third layers, i used some wool i had in my stash but you could use scraps of fabric or a mixture. Make sure it is packed as tightly as possibly.
Step 4 of 5

Sew the opening closed. Pound your ham into shape.
Step 5 of 5

Finished!

Rate How To Print Page

Materials

linen or cotton, thread, wool scraps

COMMENTS (14)

ADD COMMENT | VIEW ALL

peaudane Ï Posted 13 April 2008 at 4:26 AM

thank you so much for this very useful how-to!
sterlingrocks Ï Posted 13 April 2008 at 11:49 AM

OMG I have been Looking for something like this.. thank you so Much!!!!
britnlind Ï Posted 14 April 2008 at 9:29 AM
Working on the Stefi Jacket

Awesome. I am making one tonight. I cannot believe it never occured to me to make my own ham. Great useage of scraps too. Thanks so much!!!!
OfficeBusyBody Ï Posted 15 April 2008 at 1:54 AM
trying to make a trench-coat

This is just what I need! Saves me having to wrap my hand in a couple of thick towels and pressing with that (yes, I really did that!).
squirrellypoo Ï Posted 16 April 2008 at 7:40 AM
feisty

is it okay just stuffing it with fabric? The storebought ones are stuffed with sawdust, and it was because of this that I hadn't just made my own already...
EmilyKate Ï Posted 16 April 2008 at 10:30 PM
pining for her digital camera :o(

I stuffed the one I made with sawdust! I just bought one of those door snakes from a $2-shop- you know the draft stoppers that you put at the bottom of a door. If you do this its a good idea to do an inner bag from calico, part-stuff that with sawdust, then put the calico bag in an identical bag made of another fabric, put in the rest of the sawdust, then sew the calico closed, THEN sew closed the bag made from other fabric.
squirrellypoo Ï Posted 17 April 2008 at 3:19 AM
feisty

EK, that's a great idea! Then that would minimise the chance of sawdust escaping... Shame I live so far away from my grandfather - he has a never ending supply of sawdust in his workshop. :)
Tannaz Ï Posted 22 April 2008 at 3:58 AM

Hi! Sorry for the stupid question but I am still very new to all of this. I have never heard of this before. How do you use it? Is it instead of using an iron??
Tannaz Ï Posted 22 April 2008 at 3:59 AM

Hi! Sorry for the stupid question but I am still very new to all of this. I have never heard of this before. How do you use it? Is it instead of using an iron??
Tannaz Ï Posted 22 April 2008 at 3:59 AM

Hi! Sorry for the stupid question but I am still very new to all of this. I have never heard of this before. How do you use it? Is it instead of using an iron??