I stained and varnished a miniature linen press for the
drying room in the attic of my dollhouse
The wooden press boards are removable, and the
screw mechanism actually works!
The linen press at the time of purchase
Household linen was an important part of a bride’s trousseau
and often a symbol of the family’s prosperity
Sometimes, folding the linen neatly was a skill in itself
With a bit of practice, one could fold sheets and towels
in such a way that they appeared to double in quantity
when placed in the linen cupboard or cabinet
For that reason, the linen press held an important place
in many distinguished households
The household linen was usually washed and bleached outdoors
Afterward, it was placed in the press, layered between
several wooden boards, and pressed smooth to achieve a crisp, neat finish
The use of the linen press gradually declined with the introduction of the flat iron
In the House of Van Gijn, several antique flat irons can be seen
A reminder of the time when ironing was done by heating
the iron on a stove or filling it with hot coals
These irons were heavy and labor-intensive to use,
but they played an essential role in keeping household
linen and clothing neatly pressed
They mark the transition from traditional linen presses
to modern ironing methods, showing how domestic work evolved over time


Hoi Xandra,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenNog nooit gezien in het echt, maar dus nu wel in het klein voor het poppenhuis! Wat een mooi hulpapparaat.
fijne weekend
liefs
Nelleke
Interesting bygone wash room items. I love learning about them.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHugs, Drora