I didn't know either!

The tailor ham is a rounded, padded two-sided surface used to press on. One side is wool and the other side is cotton. The oval shaped tool is used when pressing any curved surface to help shape the curve of the garment to fit the curve of the body. It is also used to retain a curve when basting, pressing, or shaping a curved section of a garment such as darts, hip line seams, sleeve caps, collar rolls, etc. (infomation copied and pasted)

they used to use them for pressing when making clothing. I don't know anyone who has ever had one and i don't think I've ever seen one. Must be before my time. LOL But it does look like a ham.
Bev

These have been around forever....can't believe you'd never seen one...lol

Had to buy one for tailoring class in college. Very useful, especially when doing wool suits. I don't use it much now.

This made me hungry. Gee I had never seen one or heard of one. Cute site is very educational.

They sell them at Jo Anns in notions...I made one tonight

I have a small one, just right for the top of sleeves, small darts, and other things you want to keep their curve when pressing; used to be my mother's. She also had a full sized one, ideal for pressing seams in jackets, but gave that away to someone else - alas. Both had grey linen coverings, mine has water stains from pressing with a wet cloth, but I still use it regularly. Must be over 75 years old by now. They can still be bought at tailor's suppliers.

Never heard of it before but seems like a good thing..

Thanks to all and flower for each to! Now I know what a tailors ham is.
Dawn