If the smell of warm cotton doesn't make you nostalgic, then you are probably too young. . . . (Sorry.)
You perhaps never skipped through the door after school to the scent of freshly ironed laundry wafting in the air. And you probably have no memory at all of your first ironed hankie, or felt the early pleasure of a smoothly ironed towel that you managed all by yourself. (Pity.)
I can't really help you with the absence of longing for the heavenly scent of freshly pressed cottons. (You have to actually go out of your way to have all cotton linens these days, and ironed polyester just smells!)
But you know what they say. . . .
It's never too late to have a happy childhood!
Some days are just better when you can see that you have gotten a few things all ironed out.
Seeing fewer wrinkles can make any woman's day!
First there's the pleasure of the doing. . . .
And then comes the delight of the having!
Eating and sleeping on beautifully ironed linens is almost decadent in our times. . .
But even while they're waiting to be used, they are the gift that keeps on giving. . .
Here's to keeping your laundry happy!
Jacqueline
Join me at
As I ironed the guest room bedding this week I wondered 'is there anyone left who irons?'.
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering my question!
When I was growing up I really enjoyed ironing. Alone with my thoughts removing the wrinkles from whatever but yes pillows and tablecloths. Seeing the beauty come from making something just a little more beautiful than it already was. I would spend hours ironing. It is a different day indeed.
ReplyDeletePatty at Home and Lifestyle Design
I love ironing good linens♥️
ReplyDeleteAnd....yes....I do remember coming home from school, and mom had been ironing...
There sure is a definite "smell" to that.....
I still like to iron my vintage pillowcases....
They sure do feel wonderful!
Lovely post....thanks for the memories♥️
Cheers!
Linda :o)
I iron my linen napkins and tea towels...I really should adopt Pondside's habit and iron the cotton sheets!
ReplyDeleteLove the pretty stack of linens wrapped up like a gift.
Storing these on open shelving would be fun.
Love the pink and white pretties you shared today! I do remember ironing as a young girl and into my teens. Today, I rarely do unless it is something cotton, be it vintage or modern. And, you're right. It does have a certain smell. Comfort. I remember ironing my father's white cotton long sleeved dress shirts that he wore to work. Tedious work but a comforting smell. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post. I don't think I have ever known the pleasure of sleeping on freshly ironed cotton sheets! My Mother never did such and I never have. I never learned to iron and to this day do not do it unless we are going to a wedding! Thankfully we do own an iron and ironing board and when each of my four children reached their teens they began ironing all on their own. Isn't that funny? It is the one thing I never taught them(and I taught them alot because I homeschooled them for 15 yrs.) or encouraged but they did it all on their own. I do have a love for freshly laundered cottons blowing in the breeze on the clothesline. I love 100% cotton and now they have organic cotton which is so soft. xo
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely beautiful and nostalgic post. I did sleep on ironed linens. My mother did press our sheets. I can still remember the scents from my childhood. Thank-you,Jacqueline for this wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteJust by looking at your linens, I can remember the smell. I actually do iron pillow cases, tablecloths, and napkins -- mostly are cotton! Sally
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. I do iron almost everything, I used to like it but now having three young children is a challenge . My bed sheets are always ironed and I love it:) Beautiful pictures :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thoughts and linens!
ReplyDeletePreciosos todos los bordados.
ReplyDeleteFelicidades
I love bringing vintage linens home and gently washing them and then ironing them. It just brings them to life.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post.
Judy
yes I do know the smell and yes it was always wonderful to walk into the apartment and smell the laundry drying in the air, the humidity when it was dry was wonderful and the scents, the most comforting thing. So may I ask, what do you use for laundry? anything particular that makes the smells wonderful? I am still trying to get a lavender scent in mine with no success until I spray with linen spray often.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE freshly ironed cotton bedding!!! Yes! I still iron my vintage linens, bed sheets and pillowcases on the Guest Room bed!!!
Like you, I remember ironing those first hankies and the reward was all sensory delight...except for my first burnt finger!
Loved this post...and I adore your humorous references!!!
Fondly,
Pat
I'm not a fan of ironing but I do like the smell of freshly iron cotton and linen and it does remind me of my childhood, my mum was a stay at home mum and everything was ironed sadly I worked and nothing much was ever ironed.
ReplyDeleteMerle.....................
I do the ironing here. It gives me pleasure, seeing the wrinkles disappear and the cotton or linen transformed into smooth, crisp linens. Yes, I smile too, Jacqueline. '-)
ReplyDeleteLovely post!
I'm smelling it right now as you speak. I had to iron my mama and daddy's hankies, daddy's T-shirts and even his underware (no starch, in the undies.) The sheets were ironed by our (sorry to call her, "maid.") She loved me like her own and didn't make me do the sheets but I had iron the pillow cases and the rest. I bought a percale set of sheets at a yard sale that was still in the package. They are by far my favorite set to sleep on. Can't find those anymore. I do love your pretties, always do!
ReplyDeleteOh I remember all those smells and getting to iron pillow cases and hankies for my grandmother
ReplyDeleteThat one set with the yellow blue and pink flowers well I have my Grandmother luncheon cloth with the same flowers and stems on it,I'm going to get it out and wash and iron it.
You have the loveliest linens Jacqueline. They would be a pleasure to iron. Call me crazy, but I have always loved to iron.
ReplyDeletesending hugs...
I just ironed a pile of vintage pillowcases today and just love it. I learned to iron when I was young on pillowcases and hankies. We use vintage pillowcases on our bed and linen sheets from France, which I dry on the line even in Winter. Just love the ritual of it and the smell.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Jacqueline...I know just the scent you are writing about...and linens are the only thing I like to iron!
ReplyDeleteOh, what sweet memories!! My mom ironed everything and yes, I remember the smell when I came home from school. The pressed linens would hang on a drying rack before folding and putting away. I learned on pillow cases and hankies, and still iron my linens. Nothing like sleeping on an ironed pillowcase!!!
ReplyDeleteAre you old enough to remember this....I remember ironing my bras when they were all cotton and had circular stitched cups and had to be pressed so they wouldn't be all wrinkly under a sweater!!! In a lot of ways Progress is sooooo good!!!
Like you I love to iron and love the smell of cotton made warm from the iron. My mother used to "sprinkle" the pillow cases and other linens with water,then roll them up and put them in a plastic bag and store them the deep freeze. After a couple of days she would take them out and iron them...a fascinating process for a small child to observe. She would always save a couple of my dad's handkerchiefs for me to iron. Thank you for bringing this cherished memory to mind. You have such beautiful linens...always enjoy visiting here.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline,I can smell its freshness from here. Just so beautiful. x
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post, Jacqueline! It takes me back to my great-grandmother's... helping her bring everything in off the line, and then visiting while she ironed. Every one of her embroidered pieces had a special story... which is why I embroider my own dish towels now. :)
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely Sunday,
Lin
I so remember that smell Jaqueline.
ReplyDeleteI still have a few items of linen.
I now use cotton.
I love white.
your photos shots of your cottons and linens are so welcoming .. I always love your posts.
wishing you a happy Sunday
val xx
I do think I might have that same pink striped towel! And I know what you mean about crisp, freshly pressed cotton. Alas, I am indeed a poor presser! So much of what I have is seen and not used, which is all right -- just so long as it isn't stuck in a drawer somewhere!
ReplyDeleteYou bring back lots of memories, that sweet smell after Mondays washing was being ironed, I could almost smell it after looking at all your beautifully ironed linen. I wish I'd taken after my Mum in that. I hate ironing, but I do iron my guests bedlinen & our pillow slips & table cloths so I'm not all bad !!
ReplyDeleteLove your nostalgic post.
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ReplyDeleteYes, I remember also! And you're right - polyester just smells.The grand kids have been here this weekend so I'll be washing and ironing the linens. Thank you for a pretty & perfectly pressed post~~~
ReplyDeleteHi J,
ReplyDeleteWell this is a lovely post for a gloomy morning all bright and cheery - pink and white tied up with a bow, real eye candy!! I LOVE the smell of hot cotton, LOVE the quietness of ironing... a perfect cold rainy day diversion, and I need those winter diversions... Summer, now that is a different story! you are tough to iron in the summer my friend!!
Hugs,
B
Just beautiful Jacqueline! I love the embroidered flowers in all those cheerful spring colors. Makes me want to get out my needle and start embroidering. Memories of years gone by. I've never met anyone who likes ironing as much as you do :)
ReplyDeleteCindy
Oh I can remember ironing the cotton sheets. I also remember hanging the sheets out on the line to dry in the summer breeze and how fresh they smelled when you put them on the bed. We never used a dryer for laundry. Memories!
ReplyDeleteKris
Yes! I AM old enough to remember that wonderful scent and the feel of clean cotton. There is nothing like it!
ReplyDeleteCindy
J~ your linen love is contagious.,,,and I could smell the lovely linens in this post :)
ReplyDeleteEventually when the children fly the coop and I have something less than mountains of laundry everyday to do, I will play more with the linens! I love the smell of freshly ironed cotton and the feel of sheets or towels that have been left out in the rain and air dried! There is nothing quite so soft. At least it used to be, not sure how pollution has affected that lately! Your linens are ever so beautiful, as always!
ReplyDeleteSherry
Your words and images made me very nostalgic, Jacqueline! I love ironing... it is easily my favorite house chore. And there's nothing nicer than a freshly ironed stack of vintage guest towels, table linens or bed linens. Wishing you a cozy week!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! That floral piece is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt was my chore to hang the laundry on the line, take it down (oh, that scent) sprinkle the laundry before ironing with the coke bottle used as a sprinkler, and then do the ironing. I didn't appreciate it then. But, last night as I was ironing a tablecloth for dinner I appreciated that I am now retired and have the time to press everything before putting it on the table.
My mother had five children...and her first 2 are only 11 months apart.
ReplyDeleteMy mother - like you - absolutely loved to iron, and even did an elderly ladies ironing back when she was stuck home with the 3 youngest.
I remember the smell, I remember Mom hanging laundry to dry, I remember my mom's beautiful hankies (which I have now.) And I remember clearly my first "helping with ironing."
I love the look of ironing but didn't quite inherit the love of it as you have....but all is well.
I adore this post.
So happy to see so many women who love the smell of freshly ironed linens! Washing, line drying and ironing the tablecloths, napkins, and the few other assorted vintage items I have really DOES take me back to my childhood, and I every time, I fondly recall the first ironing assignments our Mother would give to us girls: hankies and tea-towels. There is something so comforting in those nostalgic feelings. . .thank you, Jacqueline, for this trip down memory lane. I now feel the urge to iron!
ReplyDeletePressing sheets, linens and using them daily was a family tradition, yet pushing my age and out youth less of this took place, I do use linen hand towels and linen drying sheets to bathe and dry, I love feel the age of an era gone and taking less of the new to our dailyness. There is something so ageless when you see linen hanging on racks, hooks, or folded on a shelf.
ReplyDeleteLove your post beautiful looking forward to the next.
Xx
Doré