Curtains and tips for using a sad iron

I put up a pair of curtains in my kitchen window. It is a smallish window mounted over one of my counters. After putting up a rod that I found in my shed I attached the clip's to a pair of pillow cases that my great grandmother embroidered. Everything came together perfectly as they were the right length for the window. They were deeply creased so I put my sad iron on the wood stove and than I ironed them. I've learned a few things about how to do this easily and I am sharing my technique. My sad iron has a detachable wooden handle. I take the handle off while it is warming and than I put the handle on when I use it. I know how hot the iron is by how hot my stove is. When I use the iron I prefer a low fire in the woodstove. If the iron is not hot enough it simply won't iron out the creases but if it is too hot it will burn holes but that has never happened to me. I like to use a dampened pressing cloth on some things like white's and I typically mist the other's with a spray bottle before ironing. I like to work near the stove and when I need to set the iron down I put it back on the stove for rewarming. For large items I follow my grandmother's advice. I sprinkle water on it (sometimes I use a mister) and wrap it in a towel and leave it for a day to moisten before ironing. Sad irons are easy to use but they do require some intuition and relatively strong arms. The irons come in different sizes and weights and when they are off duty they make an ideal doorstop. Ironing this way is slower than an electric iron but there is something to be gained in spending time this way. It is a task that I enjoy even though it requires more from me. My late great grandmother was an exceptional woman in her time and her faith and strength encourages me and the curtains are a reminder.

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