Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Love to Iron!



Polly from Count Your Blessings has a post on laundry sprinklers. And such a good idea to use a sprinkler to water plants. But my sprinklers are strictly for ironing. And I love to iron! When I iron vintage tablecloths, I use a mangle. It is by far the best way to press vintage linens. It’s fast and easy, and for me, relaxing!

The wonderful ladies at The Vintage Tablecloth Lovers Club introduced me to the art of mangling. Denise from Vintage Gardens and Patrice from A Sentimental Journey both TLC members, are proud mangle owners. They can attest to how wonderful they are! By far the best way to iron an Irish Linen Damask cloth is with a hot, hot mangle. It just makes the design pop from the fabric.

My Horton mangle is from the 1930’s and –knock wood- still going strong! I thought I’d have a hard time finding a working mangle. But early in the saleing season a few years back I easily found one. And the best part, it was half price! All of $2.50! My husband and his friend cleaned it up, changed the cord, and tested it out. I was good to go!! Lovin it ever since!

9 comments:

  1. what is a mangle I have a lot of vintage tablecloths but never heard of a mangle.
    helen

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  2. laundry shaker. I want one. never heard of it either.
    helen

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  3. Ok Holly, we all need a mangle lesson. I, too, love to iron. I rmember my Mom used a coke bottle with a sprinkler cap when she ironed. Hugs, Kathleen

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  4. yep........love my mangle....its the best. I love your sprinkler...and of course that tablecloth is 2 die 4!

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  5. Just found your blog, and it's delightful!! Laundry shakers never heard of them!! but I want one now I've seen your's!!
    Im coming back to visit soon!!
    mandii

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  6. oh my gosh! I forgot about the mangle my mom had. I remember she ironed all the sheets and towels too. YIKES--the only thing that gets ironed at my house now are my textile projects--never anything else!

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  7. Well I'm so pleased to be an inspiration, and yes, I love Flossie so, she's a good ol' workhorse, but I didn't get her for 2.50!!

    Oh, and I haven't forgotten my little project for the VTLC, just gotta find the time to do it properly :) xo P

    PS * Love the sprinkler bottles, too ! sold a red one a while back and now It's on my "wish I never sold it" list * ugh!

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  8. well, I have learned something new today - I had never, ever heard of a mangle!! How interesting.

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  9. I haven't heard of a mangle either. But I'll bet I've seen then at the flea markets and have passed them by. ;)

    Blessings... Polly

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