In order to give you an insight into the QMU
archive here is one of the most prolific objects in
the collection…
The Iron
The QMU archive holds a wonderful collection of
irons, from Gas to Flat, to SAD to Egg, you name it, if it was used in the
application of heat in order to smooth fabric we’ve got it! This one is called
a Goffering or Tally iron.
Goffering Iron
c.1890
The Victorians took ironing a lot more seriously
than we do and had various instruments to even out every inch of fabric. The
Goffering Iron first appeared in the early19th century and was used to
iron waves of ruffles while keeping the flounces without flattening them. The
metal test tube was heated by inserting a metal poker fresh from stove or
hearth. Rolls of delicate frills and lace, which were used as decoration on
caps, aprons, night-gowns and underskirts were wound around the cylinder, while
smaller trimmings such as ribbons were moved across it. This was a time
consuming process and Victorians took
great pride in a display of expertly-ironed ruffles,
as demonstrated in this picture of Mrs
Robinow Director of The Edinburgh School
of Cookery 1875 – 1906.
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