Chapter 26 Basic Sewing Skills 469 • Press with the fabric grain, in the direction of your stitching. • Be careful not to stretch edges or curves out of shape. • Do not press over pins. This may scratch the soleplate of the iron and the pins may leave an impression in the fabric. • Use care when working with fusible fabrics. If the adhesive comes in con- tact with the iron, it will melt and stick to it. This can be diffi cult to remove from the iron. Ironing over a piece of waxed paper will help restore the smooth surface. • To press gathers, place the garment over the end of the ironing board, wrong side up. Press the gathers below the seam line by sliding the iron point up into the gathers. This will avoid fl attening the gathers having a pleated look. Press the seam allowance away from the seam line with the point of the iron. Then press the seam allowances fl at to reduce bulk. • Press sleeves using a sleeve board, 26-39. Use a sleeve board to press sleeves without creases. • Never press any sharp creases in your garment until the fi t has been checked. 26-39 A sleeve board allows you to press sleeve seams open without forming creases. June Tailor, Inc.