Stepping up your sewing (in other words making it look not home made)

Do you ever feel like you spent so much time sewing something but in the end it just looks home made?  I know many people who have this issue.  I used to until a few years ago.  Home made is great, but I don't want people to look at me and think my clothes look home made.  I my clothes to look like something you would buy at a store.  So I'll tell you the secret to professional looking sewing.

The secret is in pressing while you sew. 
Press (not iron) every seam as you go.  Yes, there is a difference between pressing and ironing.  Pressing is putting your iron down and then picking it up and placing it in another spot.  Ironing is sliding your iron over the area.  If you wait until you are done sewing the entire project, it will be too late.

Here are some links that will explain exactly how to press and why.  Sew-It-Yourself.com has a great explanation.  Gorgeous Fabrics gives a great explanation on her blog as well.  She links to an article from Threads magazine about pressing which shows the same shirt made with pressing as you go side by side with it not pressed til the end.   It is really enlightening and you should check it out if you aren't convinced yet!
You also need the right tools when pressing.  Tools are listed in the sew-it-yourself.com article.  I do not have a seam roll and I really feel that I am missing out.  Pressing sleeves would be so much easier!  I do have a pressing ham, pressing mit and presser/clapper.  These were all tools my mother never had.  I really do feel they make a difference.  I would also love to get a really good steam iron and a pressing table (custom made by myself and my husband of course).  In Cool Couture by Kenneth King, he recommends a pressing table be made from wood, covered in cotton batting with a canvas cover.  This is what I intend to make eventually.  Don't be fooled- the shiny teflon ironing board covers are not the best thing for your pressing needs!

I am still learning the art of pressing.  I think there is always more to learn when sewing.  I am definitely learning much just making my first jacket this year- which is still in the fitting stage!  If you have never done this, try pressing your next project as you go and see if it makes a difference for you.