Hi Gunny,
Granny sprinkled water on the pieces to be ironed because they were starched! Remember doing that meself. My girls used to have those frilly gathered dresses with the long tie to make bows that had to be starched, sprinkled and ironed! Sooooo glad I don't have to iron sheets or little girl dresses anymore; but with GGrandDau I probably would not mind, did not mind doing it for her mother.