Ah, yes, the sprinkling bottle. Flash back - my mother made very heavy starch, dipped our petty coats into that and then would take them to the yard and arrange the petty coat in a circle and let it dry like that. She took great pride in doing that because we always had the greatest petticoats while every one else's was limp. Boy, did those things itch.

Years ago, we used to dampen our clothes and then put in the refrigerator andiron later. Didn't have dry spots, that way.

I saw these at a quilt store. What is used at the top of the bag to keep it so open?
Dodee

I remember starching mine that way too. Maybe that was a Texas thing.

Just thought I would add my "2 cents' worth". I use the aerosol spray "Magic Sizing" instead of spray starch. It gives freshly washed and dried fabrics (or some that have been in the stash for a while) that new-fabric feel! Also, when I applique using a manilla-folder template, I cut around it about a 1/4" larger. Then, placing the piece right-side down, place the template in the center. I use the lid of the the sizing to spray directly into it, and dip my finger in, then wet the outer edge of the applique and fold over template, ironing as I go. When all edge is ironed onto the template, turn the whole thing over and press the top side. lift up starched edge, peel off the template, then press again, returning the turned-under edge back in place. Perfect applique, ready for hand or machine applique.

I use one of the business-sized or larger advertising magnets that are sent through the mail or glued to the front of my new phone directory. I stick one to my metal machine and put pins on it as I sew. Then, when I go back to pinning again, I peel it off gently from the machine and take it to my chair to use the pins again. If you have several of these you can rotate back and forth between chair and machine.

I remember my mom ironing with a cast to her hip. And she taught us how on dads hankies.

I don't know what they use but if I were making one I'd probably use plastic from a 2 liter bottle soft drink; seems like the right size...and cheap.

[quote=AnnaK]I don't know what they use but if I were making one I'd probably use plastic from a 2 liter bottle soft drink; seems like the right size...and cheap.[/quote


I have one of these and there isn't anything there to keep it open, it's just the thickness of the top of the bag that keeps it open and the way it hangs from the pincushion part. I use mine all the time on the corner of my sewing table.

I'v used the sprinkling and refrig. deal. my mom had a soft drink bottle with this sprinkle cap on it that she use to use.Here's a tip if your iron is not as slick as you like, run it over a piece of wax paper while it's on. cleans it right up. Just had to do this as some how my iron sat down on my plastic point turner and melted in to the iron. DUH!!!