Using a steam press

Ironing has never been my favourite activity. For many years, there has always been washing waiting to be ironed in my home. Sometimes I'd do a burst of ironing and get through a basket or two and then it would sit accumulating again until we needed something in the pile. My ironing practices left a lot to be desired.

This year Hanno bought me a steam press for my birthday. It's a Bernina Domena, made in France.  I've had it for a month now and I love it. My ironing has never looked as good as it does now, not even when I had an ironing lady. There are some things I prefer using the iron on, mainly Hanno's good shirts, but I'm getting better and faster at prepping the shirts for pressing. The press has cut my ironing time down considerably, even though I'm now ironing things I didn't bother about before.  My aprons, tablecloths, pillow slips, table runners, napkins etc. all look crisp and beautiful.

The main difference when pressing instead of ironing is that you have to take your time preparing the item for pressing. That may be smoothing out the wrinkles on something flat, or it might be more involved if it's a garment. Preparation does take a bit of time but I'm getting faster doing it, and the pressing takes no time at all. I love how my knitted cardigans are looking, it does wool and cotton perfectly.  The settings range from wool, silk and delicates, through to cotton and linen and the steam function uses tap water. It's great using it for sewing too because you can press hems and seams in one press and they're straight and as sharp as a tack. It's a great gift and one I'll use every week.

Does anyone else have a press? If so, I'd love to hear your tips and tricks.