How to Use a Tailor's Clapper and Point Presser in Sewing

The tailor's clapper is a must for sewing and ironing. It is used to press seams without burning. I discovered the clapper when I was taking a sewing class on making jeans and wondered how I ever sewed without it. Now, I use it on everything I make.

Used with steam from your iron, press the area with the clapper and hold for just a few seconds, it will leave a nice crisp seam.

Larger Clapper weighs about 1.2 lbs and measures 11 ½” inches long, 3” wide tapered down to 2 1/2 inches and is 1 1/2” thick.

Medium Clapper weighs 12oz, & measure 9 1/2" long, 2 1/2" wide tapering down to 2". 

Smaller clapper weighs 6 oz, and measure 8" long 2" wide tapered down to 1 1/2" and is 1 1/2" thick.

Both sides have routed grooves to offer easy handling and is unfinished to absorb the steam better.

This is three tools in one!

First it is one of our great tailor's clappers but it has the added benefits of a long pointed point presser for those hard to reach seams and enclosed corners like on collars, lapels and cuffs and it also has a shorter point press for other hard to reach areas.

The point pressers are used by slipping the seam, wrong side up, over the desired point and press open. Apply steam to the area with your iron and press and hold for a few seconds to create a perfect crisp edge.

The bottom of the clapper is used to apply pressure to set permanent creases to form crisp edges, and flatten bulky seams.