Contributed by Kim Forbes
Here are my ironing tips from my recent gigs that required me to do some wardrobe maintenance:
If at all possible, have the theater provide you with a stand-up ironing board. These are easier to deal with than the small table ironing boards that have a tendency to collapse flat as you iron.
Ask your costume designer for a wardrobe list that includes how to care for each costume (steam iron, dry iron, low iron, etc.) Follow these directions very carefully to avoid damaging a costume.
Lay the garment as flat as possible on the ironing board before you begin to help avoid ironing in wrinkles.
Make sure not to trap part of a sleeve or any other part of the garment underneath the portion you are ironing.
Empty shirt and pants pockets before ironing.
When ironing fitted shirts, skirts, or any other garment with a strange shape that doesn't lay flat easily, iron a small portion at a time. This makes it easier to avoid wrinkles.
Hang up the garment immediately after ironing to avoid getting it wrinkled again.
Encourage your actors to always hang up their costumes; this should make less work for you in the long run.
Iron every day so that you have a moderate amount of daily ironing rather than storing up the wrinkles for one big ironing job.
IRONING - "TROUBLESHOOTING"
If some water leaks from an iron while you are steaming a garment, put the iron on the "dry" setting and iron over the wet spot until it dries. This usually takes a few seconds only.
If the iron doesn't appear to be working, make sure:
1) it is plugged in
2) it is turned on (some irons can be off even when plugged in)
3) it is on a high enough setting
If the steam option doesn't appear to be working, make sure there is water in the iron.
IRONING SAFETY TIPS
Never touch an iron to see if it is hot yet unless you want a nasty burn. Irons usually take about 30 sec - one minute to warm up.
Never leave a hot iron resting on a costume, you will burn a hole in the costume.
If you must leave the room in the middle of ironing, it is advisable to unplug the iron and move it to a corner of the room or out of the way of general traffic. Try to avoid leaving an iron unattended when it is plugged in and hot.
Make those around of you aware that the iron is on to avoid accidents.
