When I was a teenager, my Mom would pay me $1.00 per bushel to iron my Dad's white shirts. He was a minister, and that was the only kind of shirt he wore. She would wash them, make up the starch and add to the rinse, then hang them on the line. They were so stiff! Then we sprinkled them with water and put them in plastic bags. I don't remember them being in the fridge, but I sure remember the hours spent ironing them! I was SO-O-O happy when permanent press came into existance. I don't know why it has gone out of style...I hate ironing and don't like to look wrinkled!

During the hard times, years ago, my precious mother took in ironing to help out. She was forced to be a stay at home mom, taking care of my mentally retarded sister and me. She was paid $1.25 per dozen items - usually work uniforms. You never opened the fridge without finding it stuffed with a big plastic bag of damp, starched clothes waiting for her magic touch. Thanks for bringing back the memory!

I use a pop-up style kleenex box for my clipped threads. I tore the plastic out of the top, leaving a nice size oval for putting those threads. I can either toss the whole box, or empty it out and use it again. Works for me. Also, I use paper towel and toilet paper tubes for wrapping bindings around before I sew them to the quilt. This works especially well for transporting them to the long arm quilter. Finally, I save those plastic boxes that lettuce comes in. They work great for storing just about anything. The lids snap tight.

My mother used to put the clothes in the refrigerator until she got ready to iron -- but I always thought it was to prevent them from getting moldy <especially in the summer>, in the event she couldn't get to them right away.

My husband irons his own shirts. He's much better at it then me and he can't complain if it's not too his standards. He came well trained by his Mother and can do just about anything he sets his mind to. I'm very lucky.

One of my favorite things is a flat wooden tv tray (purchased at Goodwill for $5). I covered it with several layers of felt and then made a muslin fitted "sheet" for it. I take it to classes, retreats and set it up at home right by my sewing machine. My own private little ironing board! No waiting in line to press at class, no taking up tons of space at home.[/quote]

Oh I love this one! I needed a mini ironing board next to my machine because the big one doesn't fit in the room -- I'm doing a big log cabin and the running back and forth with every little seam was driving me crazy! This idea is perfect, thanks!!

I save all scraps and thread cuttings...so after using this tip, toss in a bag and keep for stuffing pillows etc.

LOL, renea, I bet they thought your 'pin' was creative! :lol:
About a month ago, I had an allergy appt. and while talking to him, I happened to notice a baby diaper pin on the sleeve of my long sleeved shirt.
I was shocked, so blurted out, "I have a safety pin on my shirt!"
I had forgotten that I put it there to mark for cutting. Was preparing to shorten sleeves. Doc said, "Leave it there!"
Smart man :XD:

I remember my Mom used a beer bottle with an aluminium top that had a sprinkler tip on it. She would shake it and water would sprinkle on the clothing. She used to iron my Dad's uniforms for the Army. I have always loved to iron!. Oh how I wish I could find the tip she used. Does anyone know what I am thinking of? :?

Oh gosh I did that when I had five little ones running around and a ton of white shirts with french cuffs to iron, my DH wore white shirts sometimes two each day if he had meetings and back then they had to be starched, how I loved it when the permanent press fabric came out.

It's your quilt and nobody's perfect