ARCH 17,2005
Pressing Problems
Wrinkles in your clothes got you steaming mad? Don't worry,we'll help you iron out the issues
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When the Jayhawks faced the Cowboys Saturday night, you probably didn't notice their uniforms. But if you were looking, really paying attention, you saw it. Their uniforms weren't wrinkled.
Because the folks down at the Athletics Department equipment office fold or hang the uniforms after they are washed and dried, they avoid unnecessary wrinkles. However, if some wrinkling happens, they are quick to steam the creases out. But they never iron. "Ironing is a bad word down here," says Ron Aulet, one of the Athletics Department's equipment managers. With irons, there's always the chance that a uniform might be burned, he says. No one wants to see Christian Moody on the court with an iron imprint on his back.
of the equipment office, ironing is probably our best bet of achieving a wrinkle-free appearance. And don't think that hanging your shirts up right after you take them out of the dryer will be enough of a preventative. If you have a sharp eye, you'll notice that they are still a bit rumpled, lacking the crispness that an iron can bring.
ambling.
Before you start worrying about irons, steamers and sleeve boards, calm down. Ironing is actually a simple process.
According to *Gentleman's Guide to Grooming and Style*, all you really need is a surface to iron on, an iron and a something to iron. A table top covered with a towel or blanket is just as good as an ironing board and as long as your iron has a stainless-steel sole plate, you're good to go.
Photo illustrations by Kit Leffler
When ironing a shirt, it is always best to do it while the shirt is still damp. Don't take the shirt out of the washer and throw it down on an ironing board; just take a simple spray bottle (available at any home and garden store), fill it with water and spray down your shirt until it's slightly damp.
a slightly damp.
I start ironing with one of the sleeves. Use your hands to lay the fabric down smoothly and then start ironing in the center of the sleeve, working out. If your shirt has single-button cuffs, iron the cuffs with the buttons facing up. For double or French cuff shirts, unfold the cuff and iron it smooth. Then fold the cuff and iron in the crease of the fold.
To iron the back of the shirt, place the shirt so that the inside is against the ironing board. Pull the shirt tight and then iron the back smooth, making sure to iron the back pleat evenly as you do so. By placing the pleat so that it runs parallel to the edge of the ironing board, you will be able to pull the shirt tight across the board while ironing.
board while ironing. The collar should be ironed starting with the tips and working your way in, so
as not to create any new wrinkles. Turn the shirt over and iron the inside of the collar. You don't have to iron the crease into the collar as most shirts are constructed with the fold in place.
To iron the front of the shirt, place half on the ironing board with the outside up and smooth out the wrinkles. Be careful with the buttons. Most irons made today are grooved to help you iron around the buttons. Never place the iron on top of the buttons as the heat may destroy them.
When you are done ironing, hang the shirt up to allow it to cool before wearing or storing. If you are storing the shirt in a closet, be sure to allow enough room for the shirt to hang so it won't wrinkle again.
datkinson@kansan.com
03.17.05 Jayplay
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