Needle Board
A needle board is a tool used to place pile fabric on a surface densely covered with fine needle-like metal wires, allowing it to be finished with iron heat and steam without crushing the nap.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
A needle board is a pressing base with many fine metal wires set into its surface. By lightly placing pile fabrics such as velvet onto the needles from the face side and pressing from the back with an iron, it helps prevent crushing the nap and glossing.
How to Use
Place the pile side face down on the needle board and gently set the fabric on it. Then, from the back side, press with an ironing cloth while holding the iron slightly above the fabric. If you press too hard or apply heat to the same area for too long, the nap may become distorted, leave press marks, or change due to heat.
For localized work such as opening seam allowances or folding hems, place only the necessary area on the needle board. After shaping the seam allowance, let the fabric cool sufficiently before moving it, as this helps the finish stay stable.
- Check the temperature, amount of steam, and whether a pressing cloth is needed in advance using an inconspicuous matching fabric.
- Check the direction of the nap and avoid pulling the fabric during work.
- Be careful not to let the underside of the iron touch the needles directly.
Types and How to Choose
In addition to board-shaped types, there are small versions that are easy to use for partial pressing. Choose the area of the needle surface and the stability of the main body according to the size of the part being worked on, the storage space, and the width of the fabric being handled.
The needle density, length, and hardness of the base vary by product. For short, delicate fabrics, test whether the needles will push the fabric up too much, and for long-nap fabrics, it is important to confirm with matching fabric whether the nap can be maintained.
Care and Safety Precautions
After use, remove fabric scraps and thread scraps with a soft brush or similar tool without forcibly pulling them out, so as not to bend the needles. Since moisture can lead to deterioration of the metal parts, store it covered in a dry condition.
The needle tips are sharp and can catch on fingers or clothing. When using or storing it, do not leave the needle surface facing up, and place it where children and workers will not touch it carelessly. If bent or missing needles are noticeable, do not use it.
Differences from Similar Terms
A needle board is a pressing tool for protecting the pile surface, and its purpose differs from that of a regular ironing board. On a normal ironing board, the pile is likely to be compressed, so a needle board is used for finishing velour and velvet.
A tailor's ham and sleeve board are pressing tools used to shape tubular or curved parts such as sleeves. In contrast, the main purpose of a needle board is to apply heat without crushing the pile, rather than to support the shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a needle board be used for fabrics other than velvet?
Is there a way to press pile fabric without a needle board?
There is a method of using steam from the back side with a pressing cloth while keeping the iron slightly above the fabric and without pressing hard. However, the nap may still be crushed depending on the work and the fabric. If a stable finish is needed, such as accurately opening seam allowances, using a needle board is suitable.
