So, grain.
The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction emphasizes grain perfection. It is one of my cardinal rules as an Edna Bishop acolyte. That means that when I noticed that my fabric was laying out all wambly, I couldn’t just throw the pattern on top and pretend nothing was amiss, as is my want wont. Instead, I had to refer back to what I had learned and solve the problem. I pinned the selvedges together, then pinned the torn sides, and I prodded the ripples around remembering what Miz Bishop says looking out for bowing on the bias. And lo and behold, look what revealed itself as I prodded:
- Hot damn! That fabric is bowing. Bowing on the bias. Eureka!
There it was. So I did as instructed. Miz B suggests sponging the reverse side of the fabric to make sure it gets damp and malleable as the top (which is going to get hit by steam), but instead I went for the spray bottle
- Spray the underside
I have a homemade pressboard (sound board wrapped in batting and a wool army blanket, with muslin stapled over it), which makes pressing fabric easier since nothing hangs over the edge
- Pressboard and a peek at Chez Messy
But you can press just as easily at your ironing board. Keep selvedges to the right on the pressing area; use iron firmly on the lengthwise grain (that is, parallel to the selvedge).
- This is a difficult picture to take
And check it out
- That is grain perfection, bitches.
It is on mo’ effin’ grain.
The downside is that I spent the whole evening doing this so I don’t get to sew anything tonight.
On the upside, I didn’t whip up a crappy, cockeyed dress!
The Messy Method 
What a cool project, Megan, to work your way through this book! I just found you through your comment on my blog and had to come visit another Fabrix fan. 🙂 You’ve now seen my pic and I’ve now seen your pic. I hope we run into each other in Fabrix! I was just there yesterday and am usually there once a week or so. 🙂
Hey Shams, thanks so much for stopping by. I have long admired your reviews on PR, and again that latest coat is breathtaking. See you around the SF sewing stores!
I need to get me one of them there pressin’ boards. Your tutorial will be a huge help to me in straightening out fabric for my little quilt projects, so they don’t wind up askew! Questions: what is “sound board,” how big a piece of it did you use, and isn’t it “as is my wont”? Love, Mom
I had no idea I even had a wont. I have lots of wants so I just assumed. I will fix immediately!
Great post. When you’re pressing, are you pressing on the side that has the crease or on the underside?
Hi Amy, thanks for commenting. I am pressing on the side that is shown in the picture.
First, I flipped the fabric over and sprayed the underside. Then I flipped it back and pressed.