Ready to hear something strange? I like ironing. Maybe not when it's really hot in the summer and there's a huge pile of ironing to be done, but other than that, I like it. Which is why I is for Ironing.
Here's why I like it: It's magic. By that I mean that in an instant you can see things changing from the power of heat! You start with wrinkly, not-so-smooth fabric, and with one sweep of your magic iron, it's suddenly smooth and pretty!
The glory of ironing stands out even more to me when I'm crafting. Sometimes I'm just too lazy to set up the iron and then wait for it to cool after I'm done, so I go without. But when I do iron the things I'm working with, I'm so much happier.
The felt that I used in yesterday project? Ironing it made it so much nicer to work with! And not just the big wrinkles that you see in the first photo of this post. Even the areas that seemed smooth get smoother with a quick bit of ironing.
It sometimes seems silly to iron things before I work with them, because I know that I'll end up wrinkling them again, but no. I think it's worth it. Above are some scraps from yesterday's project, that became so much easier to use once ironed. The same goes for fabric that I'm going to embroider on.
When you iron the fabric really well before you trace your pattern on, you remove any tough wrinkles ahead of time. Once you've done your stitching, you won't be able to get them out so well without smashing your stitches! (You can iron your finished embroidery, it just takes extra care.) You also avoid the risk of heat setting your markings. Plus it's just so nice to have smooth fabric to stitch on!
One last confession about my ironing love. Spray starch + cotton = LOVE
Bleh, can't you stick to the confessional box and spiritual advisor with stuff like that? (snicker)
ReplyDeletehehe...I'm not Catholic, but I wonder what the response would be if I were to bring that to the confessional box!
ReplyDeleteI apologize, I did not mean catholic specifically, just the spiritual equivalent in your life. :-) I don't care for ironing, but do it anyway because I love embroidery more than I hate ironing. :-)
Deleteno need to apologize! and I like that the ironing is a means to an end for you!
DeleteHehe, I feel that it turns the embroidery into a reward. :-) It's a good thing my mom never caught on or I would have spent half my childhood ironing. You know, here honey, if you iron daddies shirts i'll let you embroider this.......... Or, hey mom, I ironed the entire living room carpet! Can I embroider that pillowcase!? (snicker)
DeleteI totally agree about ironing. My mom started me at age 4 ironing hankies and pillowcases and I worked my way up to . . . everything. Can't say I enjoyed it much as I got older, especially with a house full of kids, but I had great ironing skills. Now the only ironing I do is fabric for crafting - quilting, small sewing projects, embroidery. A little spritz of water or spray starch (no steam for me) and the sweep of my iron, such instant gratification. And I love the smell of hot cotton!
ReplyDeleteI like ironing. I am amazed when people say they never iron anything-we iron lots of our clothes (I iron a suit shirt for my husband to wear to work 4 days a week-Friday is business casual). I have never ironed felt, but always iron cotton before cutting or sewing because I worry the wrinkles will make the piece uneven if I don't!
ReplyDeleteAw, Mollie. I have always hated ironing, but my mom loves it. You have given me a little insight into her personality. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't like ironing clothes, but I like ironing fabric!
ReplyDeleteI'm okay ironing...if there is a good movie on and I can completely zone out. Of course that sometimes ends in me burning myself. :o/
ReplyDeleteI would not say that I like ironing but I like the look of everything smooth and crease free. When I am sewing my iron is on ready to use, I like to press as I go.
ReplyDeleteI bet if I had a halfway decent board and iron, I would enjoy it much more!
ReplyDeleteQuestion - do you have a favorite place (or places, perhaps) to purchase wool felt? There are a million different shops on Etsy (ok, not a million) and I know of a few websites that sell blends, but I was curious what you prefer. If you have a preference. :) Thanks!
I'm happy with blends for most projects, especially when I need larger pieces. My local JoAnn has a few colors, and I've just recently connected with Benzie Bazaar and will be trying their wool blend felt.
Delete100% wool feels like a luxury, and I use it more for special things or in small amounts. Material Evidence has a great selection and decent prices.
Ironing is so magical! Transformative! I always try to impress this upon my sewing students. An iron is a seamstress' best friend. <3
ReplyDeleteBest,
Melody of From Scratch
http://melodycharlotte-fromscratch.blogspot.com
I am a quilter, so I am at the iron A LOT! I would love to have one of those giant ironing boards. But I really really really love Mary Ellen's Best Press starch - makes ironing quilt pieces so much easier!
ReplyDelete