Having sold vintage linens for so many years, I've become quite intimate with my iron & ironing board. I sometimes think I could iron with my eyes closed and I'm quite sure that if I could attach wheels to my ironing board, I could press linens while I grocery shop and run errands. However, it occurs to me that not everyone has quite that much ironing experience and so I've prepared this 7 step guide as a tutorial for ironing one of the most difficult of all linens . . . the dreaded cutwork tablecloth!

Step 1: Assemble the Proper Tools

• Iron - Although they can be expensive, I definitely recommend a Rowenta iron. The last a long time, provide plenty of steam and are a little heavier than some irons so that you don't have to press as hard to get a nice crisp finish.

Rowenta Irons on eBay

• Ironing Board - Try to find an ironing board that's heavy-it may be more cumbersome to take out and put away, but the stability you get more than makes up for it. I'm lucky enough to have my grandmother's which is very heavy!

Ironing Boards on eBay

• Ironing Board Cover - This can make a world of difference! I use two covers on my board for the extra cushioning. The first is the original cover and then I use a second, highly conductive silicone pad with extra thick batting. I also suggest sticking to plain muslin since patterned covers sometimes bleed when you iron damp fabric.

Ironing Board Covers on eBay

• Spray Bottle Full of Water - Make sure the handle works well and that you can get a fine mist from the bottle; sometimes I add a drop or two of fabric softener to the water for the scent.

Step 2: Mist the Tablecloth

Lightly mist both sides of the cloth, allowing it to sit for a few minutes to more deeply absorb the water.

Step 3: Gently Pull and Straighten the Cloth with Your Hands

Believe it or not, this step will save you time in the long run by helping to minimize the chance of ironing wrinkles into the cloth. Remember to pull gently as fibers are weak when wet!

Step 4: Begin Ironing on the Backside of the Cloth

Ironing on the backside will minimize flattening of the raised embroidery while still allowing you to use sufficient pressure on the linen .

Step 5: Touch Up the Front of the Cloth

Flip the cloth over and go over the linen areas to smooth the finish, carefully touching up around the embroidery work. When possible, avoid flattening raised embroidery threads.

Step 6: Carefully Fold or Roll for Storage

Fold the tablecloth if you plan to use it in the near future or roll it if you will be storing it for an extended period of time. Prior to use, the fold lines will have to be pressed from the cloth before placing it on the table. For this, I find it easiest to set up my ironing board right next to the table so that I can quickly transfer it while it is still perfectly pressed.

Step 7: Enjoy!

More bohobetty Guides . . .

Vintage Vera ~ Fresh Ideas for Vintage Linens ~ Cleaning & Caring for Vintage Linens ~ Effectively Searching for Vintage Linens on eBay ~ Linen Terms: A-N ~ Linen Terms: O-Z