FoodNet

Handbook of domestic science and household arts for use in elementary schools

1900

Page 151

Presented as published in 1900. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
dampen it by contact with a cloth wrung but half dry from cold water. Fold the collars and cuffs up in the damp cloth. Fold a damp cloth over the stiff parts of the shirt waist, sprinkle the balance, and roll or fold it up wrong side out. Cover the bundles and place them under a weight if possible. Heat both plain irons and polishers, and know that they are perfectly clean. Place the collar or cuff upon the table wrong side up, iron it lightly with the polisher, first one side and then the other, until it begins to stiffen ; then on the right side apply pi-essure to stiffen and polish ; work quickly and bring the weight of the body to bear upon the iron. Polish the wrong side a little, but leave the right side smooth and shiny. Do one piece after another and lay them aside. Use a damp cloth as little as possible, for it takes the starch out and leaves blisters. Leave any soiled spot until the piece is dry, then rub it lightly with a damp cloth. When ready to curl collars and cuffs take a common iron, pass it over the piece several times to warm it, then with it wrong side up grasp the edge of the piece with the left hand, the iron close upon it ; as the iron is drawn back follow it closely with the left hand, curling the piece as you go. Work from both ends of the piece, then hold it in shape in the hand for a minute and stand it on edge. Turnover collars must be ironed straight first, folded with the hands, and pressed with the iron at the back. If the domestic or dull finish is desired, a damp cloth brushed lightly over the piece will remove the polish. With a polisher iron the cuffs of the shirt waist, the part of the sleeve next the cuff, and the neckband. With a common iron take the yoke first, then the back, plait down the front, fronts, and sleeves. Leave no creases in the sleeves or any part. Polish the plait down the front, and hang it to air. Instead of thick starch, raw starch is often used for col- lars, cuffs, etc. After the shirt waist has been sprinkled. 310 HANDBOOK OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE the cuffs, neckband, and plait may be dipped into the raw starch, the starch rubbed into the parts, the waist rolled up, and allowed to lie for half an hour. Straighten the cuff, put it on the table with a piece of muslin over it, iron until dry both sides, pulling the muslin off frequently. Dampen it thoroughly with a wet cloth, and iron again in the same manner, dampen and iron a third time, in this way cooking the starch in the cuff instead of out of it. The last time take off the muslin and polish the cuff. Finish the band and plait in the same way. Course II: Lesson V Clear Starching (Fine Muslin Sash Curtains). — The best clear starch work is done with rice starch ; it is very smooth and capable of great dilution. Infants' dresses may be laundered in this way, also fine muslin in caps, handker- chiefs, and the like. Starch must be made beforehand. Practice "Work. — Make soap solution.