"Ironing~~~it's an art, and I think it's dying out. It takes half a brain to do it, and the other half is free to roam." Butler Christopher Ely, who has worked for Brooke Astor and Buckingham Palace.
Back in the 1950's when I was growing up, my mom felt it was very important for me to learn to iron. My task was to iron the handkerchiefs, pillow cases and the tops of all the sheets. (She liked the sheets folded a certain way and the tops to be smooth). Basically I started out ironing anything that was flat.
After these items were washed and dried, the clothes, etc. were then sprinkled with the water filled sprinkle bottle and then rolled up and placed in the 'ironing' basket. If left like this too long, they would be covered with mildew and had to be washed again and I was usually in trouble.
As I got older, I moved on to more complicated ironing tasks, like my blouses, mom's house dresses, aprons, dad's shirts and slacks. By the time I got into high school I was the ironing queen of the house. Mom pretty much left it all to me.
Now one would think, that after having to iron as a kid I would hate ironing today. But I don't....I don't iron sheets or pillowcases and of course hankies have gone by the wayside. But I do still press my blouses and slacks. I like creases in the sleeves and flat fronts on my blouses. And I usually time my ironing for when a good movie is on TV. Then I set up 'shop' in front of the TV and iron away.
I've also discovered that my trusty ironing board has other uses. It can become a sideboard if you have a bunch of people over for dinner and there's nothing else that works better as a work table for wrapping presents, than the ironing board.
Remember~The ironing board is portable, it can be set up almost anywhere and is just the right height.
So go ahead, call me crazy but I love to iron !
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| My first attempt at ironing in December 1943 just weeks before my 2nd birthday. |
10 comments:
You took me back to my childhood in the 1950's too Linda. I was never allowed to iron at home as there were too many of us in a small tenement bedroom and kitchen. I learnt at school where we had to take in handkerchiefs etc when we had our 'Domestic Science' lessons.
I'm not overly fond of ironing, but like your Mum I like my sheets ironed, especially the hems at the top.
I too tend to park the ironing board in our living room and watch telly at the same time. I then like to hang it over the clothes horse and leave it until the next day so that I can admire my handywork. lol
Thanks for the memories!
Jeanie xx
Aww Linda, love that picture of you ironing! How sweet. I always hated ironing when I was a girl. It seemed like such a boring chore, but now I find a certain comfort in ironing. It's something I love to do. Nothing smells better than freshly laundered, air dried and ironed clothes! XXOO
Ironing is a strangely rewarding chore, I find. By the way, do you remember the name of the black-and-white feline that's lurking behind you?
I remember the days of ironing everything and my first attempts at ironing. I really don't do much of it anymore, but every now and then I do. Cute ideas about using the ironing board for other things too.
My Mum loved to iron but really hated putting things away !! I'm afraid I have never liked ironing very much and very rarely do any, only if it's a must !! Do like the idea though of usingteh ironing board for present wrapping etc etc..might well try that out when I do the Xmas wrapping..
Thanks for sharing these lovely memories..
Love Sybil xx
My Mum loved to iron but really hated putting things away !! I'm afraid I have never liked ironing very much and very rarely do any, only if it's a must !! Do like the idea though of usingteh ironing board for present wrapping etc etc..might well try that out when I do the Xmas wrapping..
Thanks for sharing these lovely memories..
Love Sybil xx
I do remember Mom ironing dad's clothes, but I never remember her ironing pillowcases or sheets.
Me? I use the dryer! haha
Loved the post. :)
I've always enjoyed ironing, still do when it when possible. I still enjoy hanging the laundry outside too, though now I can't do that because I live in an apartment. Progress is good but some of the things I loved as a kid I still miss.
Awwwwww look at you ironing, so cute... I don't iron and hubby irons his stuff... my granny would iron everything including my pa's socks and boxers... :)
kitty is cherry on the cake
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