To wonder why I'm so crap at ironing

[clockbuscanada]

Seriously, what am I doing wrong here? 20 minutes on the linen setting and it's still not even nearly flat.

New iron (£50 so should be decent) and new-ish ironing board. It doesn't seem to matter what I use or how long I iron for.

I want to be sewing, not ironing.

[KittyandTeal]

This is why I don't do ironing. I'm also not allowed to iron dh work shirts, his skipper 'had a word' last time I tried.

I'm happy being a slovenly wife

[Hihohoho1]

Anything hard to iron I just bin.

Life's too short to bother.

[clockbuscanada]

I don't do clothes, just fabric for my hobby.

Although I appreciate the solidarity, Kitty.

[KitKat1985]

Best advice I can give is stop ironing. Seriously I stopped a few years ago and no-one noticed. DH still likes his work shirts ironed so I just leave him to it.

[clockbuscanada]

This is a 12 inch square piece of cotton. How hard is it supposed to be?

[clockbuscanada]

I'm trying the steam squirting thing. It does fuck all.

[CatsCantFlyFast]

Your iron can't be hot enough surely. More heat, more steam.
Or spray the fabric with water from a squirmy bottle then iron it

[GruntledOne]

Are you sure the iron's hot enough?

[clockbuscanada]

It's on the hottest setting (linen).

[clockbuscanada]

It is bloody cold here, right enough.

[Sparklingbrook]

No use asking on MN, everyone claims to not iron.

Is it worth washing it then ironing before it's quite dry?

[CointreauVersial]

Linen and cotton definitely need steam. Lift the iron while horizontal to check it's actually steaming - it should be gusting out. Or iron while fabric is damp.

Or do what DM always does, and put a dampened teatowel on top of the fabric, and iron through that.

[PuppyMonkey]

I'm one of the MNers who claim not to iron (this is mainly because it's true) - however I used to iron lots and you're steam isn't working properly.

[clockbuscanada]

Thank you. My mum used to do that with a damp tea towel. It's coming back to me now.

[Lweji]

I'd put it in hot water for a bit, hang flat dripping, then iron. Or squeeze until not dripping and iron while still wet

[OhGodWhatTheHellNow]

Hope the tips worked, I only iron sewing too generally, fold or hang straight out of the drier and I'm usually done.

I had to make seven pairs of curtains recently, more ironing than I've done for a year and needed lots of steam, are you making something nice?

[EcclefechanTart]

Leave the in one place on the fabric for longer. I found that I was moving the iron around too quickly and the creases stayed in. It's been a revelation!

[EcclefechanTart]

Sorry - should say leave the IRON in one place

[AliceInUnderpants]

I'd bung it in the dryer for 10 minutes with a wet cloth, then try ironing it again.

[clockbuscanada]

Yes, it is definitely helping, thank you. We don't have a drier at the moment the cat peed in it but I will iron as soon as I can after the machine finishes spinning from now on.

I make children's clothes but get really frustrated at the finish and DH usually irons for me instead. He has a migraine so not worth waking him to ask .

[dementedpixie]

Try using spray starch

[ghostyslovesheep]

spray starch - this is what you need!