Ironing Pleats

**Chris 03** · 7th August 13, 09:43 AM

While reading through the instructions on ironing pleats in the Box Pleat Kilt addendum... had an idea come to mind...

The instructions said to go easy on ironing to keep the inside pleat edges from being ironed through...

Back in the Marines (prior to the no iron cammies) used to use a piece of cardstock (heavy cardboard) to keep the buttons from ironing through... gave it a try on the box pleat kilt I am working on and you just need to make a long piece of cardboard and slide it up into the pleat from the bottom end and iron away as hard as you like.

**creagdhubh** · 7th August 13, 10:10 AM

Welcome aboard, Marine! I too did the same thing with my cammies prior to the issuance of the new, non-iron versions. Of course, that was back in the day when we still had to polish our boots as well...what on Earth do they do in boot camp nowadays?! Hahaha!

Semper Fidelis,

**Geoff Withnell** · 7th August 13, 04:32 PM

I suspect that they manage to keep the boots busy.

Chris, welcome to Xmarks. There are quite a few of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children here, you should be right at home.

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Welcome aboard, Marine! I too did the same thing with my cammies prior to the issuance of the new, non-iron versions. Of course, that was back in the day when we still had to polish our boots as well...what on Earth do they do in boot camp nowadays?! Hahaha!

Semper Fidelis,

**Tartan Tess** · 7th August 13, 05:23 PM

Great idea.
Thanks!

**seanachie** · 7th August 13, 08:55 PM

....and some of us still remember wearing fatigues during bootcamp before BDUs. Those took a lot of pressing, and LPCs (boots) almost any free time before Taps.

**Chris 03** · 8th August 13, 10:01 AM

You know your a salty Marine when
A: You know what stay flow is
B: Scoff at the instructions on the side of the bottle and use it straight in a bucket
C: Don't consider somethign starched until it involves 100% heavy stay flow and elmers washable white glue
D: Enjoy the sound of punching your arm or leg through a starched pair of trousers or blouse to unstick them the first time after a good starching.

**Hiburnicus** · 9th August 13, 10:53 PM

I'm a Navy Vet and also an Army Vet... I entered service long enough ago to remember highly polished boots and starched uniforms...but maybe not as long ago as you, Chris.

Originally Posted by Chris 03

D: Enjoy the sound of punching your arm or leg through a starched pair of trousers or blouse to unstick them the first time after a good starching.

Ah, I used to love that sound and that feeling! I loved the look, but not the work that went into achieving it! Today's youngsters have it soft!