Tools: Edge press and banger
One of the tools that I really like to use is what we call a ‘Kantenpers’ in Dutch. I don’t actually know the english term for it, but it translates as: Edge-press. Here’s a pic:
As you can see, it is similar in shape to the front of a coat. This means that it makes it very easy to press open the seam along the front. It just wouldn’t be possible flat on the table, without deforming the cloth.
This is how it works:
Here you see the forepart of a coat draped over the edge-press. As you can see, the edge is lying smooth and natural, just in the same shape of the finished front. You can even see the ‘belly’ on the lapel. The lapel is where the purple cloth is hand-picked to the canvass.
Another tool that tailors frequently use, is what I call a breadboard, because of its shape:?
UPDATE: Just saw on the savilerow website that it’s actually called a banger. Never too old to learn.?
A simple smooth board of wood. Absolutely indispensible. It is used to gently flatten and dry the cloth after applying steam and heat. Like this, for instance:
Leaves the cloth perfectly flat and smooth. Lovely.
Actually, the most use I get out of the breadboard banger is occasionally whacking a disobedient apprentice. 
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The kantenpers is called a clapper in English. I love mine!