There was a time when the iron was woven into the rumpled fabric of family life. This humble appliance would be brought out regularly – along with the ceremoniously popping into position of the ironing board – to smooth a church dress, crease a pair of work trousers or unwrinkle fancy cloth napkins. Now my iron is hidden on a high shelf in my laundry room. I no longer own an ironing board. While sales of irons are on the decline, garment steamers have picked up steam.
Christine Fellingham – a former editor at Glamour magazine.
Hold on a minute! The “humble” iron is a very important tool for anyone who sews, and FYI, I use cloth napkins, which means I’m ironing those too. I have several irons, one ironing board and I use them, depending how much sewing I’m doing, at least twice a month. Seamstresses use irons to press out wrinkles in fabric before cutting and sewing; crease seams; apply fusible interfacing, and a host of other things.
My textiles instructor in the Fashion Department at San Francisco City College once mentioned that most of her young students have no idea how to use an iron. Well, they quickly learn! Do you watch Project Runway? Ever noticed the designers are constantly running to the ironing board?
Irons can do what garment steamers cannot, although, steamers are great for quickly getting out wrinkles right before you run out the door. But the iron, just like the sewing machine, is a seamstress’ buddy.
Let’s have some respect for the humble iron.
OverDressed for Life 
My iron, on my trusty old ironing board, is forever set up in a corner, surrounded by cans of spray sizing, and even in the slowest of life’s seasons, is used diligently and constantly, often daily. How can it not? If you despise polyester, fabrics that melt when touched by heat… if you love linen, fine cotton, rayon, silk and even ruffles… vintage anything and well made (intricately constructed garments)… how can you not be versed in ironing? And well skilled. My shoulders tell the tale, my hands are no longer attractive, but my passion with the iron is life-long. Because I so love textiles, well-constructed designs, hankies & even linens with illustrations. Call me ‘old fashioned’… my iron is my side-kick and oft-used tool! It’s standing there at ‘attention’, awaiting its chance to serve.