A Tailor’s Ham is one of those bits of kit you don’t realise the importance of until you actually need it. When it comes to pressing it will really help you get a better finish to your garments, or indeed any projects where you have a curved seam or do not want to squash the life out of.
They are in fact very easy to make as you will see. So although the pattern included is about 40cm long and the sleeve roll is about 5cm long, you can reduce the pattern to make smaller or even larger ones if you prefer.
You can make them out of whatever fabrics work for you, but ideally you will want something rougher with more texture to grip whatever you are pressing and hold it in place. As well as a smoother side to allow fabric to glide over it. I’ve used some wool tweed and calico. I stuff mine with sawdust from the pet store. It is firm and will absorb any moisture from steaming the fabric of your garments.
Download and print off your pattern
To make your Ham and Sleeve roll you will need:
- Textured fabric about 45cm x 30cm for the ham and about 55cm x 15cm for the roll.
- Smooth fabric - same quantity as for the tweed.
- Sawdust - ideally the stuff you get in pet stores as it is clean and without any ‘nasties’.
- Sewing thread
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Needle and thread
Cut out the fabrics for your ham and sleeve roll. Cut 1 piece in each fabric - tweed and calico for the ham and roll.
Place right sides together and sew all around with a 1.5cm seam allowance. But make sure to leave a gap on one of the straighter sides. I like to sew another row just a fraction inside this first row as a kind of belt and braces approach.
Clip into the seam allowance all around the curved edges roughly every cm. Turn out the right way around.
Now stuff with sawdust until it's completely full. Then cram in some more, and some more after that! It needs to be a solid object capable of some serious damage if lobbed. You can use a paper funnel to help direct the sawdust into the ham and roll.
Once you have it as stuffed as you can get it, carefully join the open edges of the gap and hand sew closed.
Use the same method for the sleeve roll and you will have a pair of incredibly useful additions to your sewing room.
Enjoy making and using your Ham and Roll.
Jules x
Sue Pryde
Please treat yourself more gently in your new venture. You have incredible expertise so remember that you are enabling others to share in this, learn from an expert and go on to create their own incredible garments.
Wishing you all the very best for 2025 and looking forward to a workshop soon hopefully x
Krystyna
Hi jules .Please keep me updated on all thing sewing etc. Thank you for the free pattern download .Specially the tailors hams. Iv been thinking of having a go making my own .iv got 3of your dressmaking pattern which I still haven’t made I’m a bit rusty .My worst nightmare are zips Iv never manage to stitch in a garment with out make a mess .☹️I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year ahead. Krystyna
Angie
Oh my God Jules, it is so so good to have you back. You were the inspiration who got me into sewing and kept me there. Can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store for us in 2025!! Thank you for this freebie pattern, I’ve always wanted a ham and sleeve roll thing. Make merry and enjoy your new year -new start.