Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Vintage Thingie Thursday


I am so glad that it is time for Vintage Thingie Thursday again. It is the one thing that I really look forward to each week. It makes me feel so much better to know that I am not the only one who loves to be surrounded by good old-fashioned stuff! It does hurt a little when items that were my wedding presents are now considered vintage! Ouch!!
Check out more VTT by going to Suzanne's blog (Colorado Lady).



I pulled out a couple of fluting or ruffle irons to share with you today. These were popular during the mid to late 1800's and were used to press pleats into starched materials.

This is a rather common Geneva hand fluter made in Geneva, IL. It is considered a rocker style fluter for obvious reasons.

The underneath side of the base shows that it was patented in 1866. Can you imagine actually using these to iron ruffles....I don't even like to use an electric iron!
This is a machine style fluter.

To use it you would turn the handle as you quided the starched material through the double rollers...a lot faster than the rocker style!

This particular fluter was manufactured by H. Sauerbier and Sons of Newark, NJ.

30 comments:

Coloradolady said...

Can you imagine using that? What a great collectible...I have never seen an iron like this before. Very interesting. Have a great VTT.

Anonymous said...

WOW i love your treasures!!..i can only imagine how heavy they must be! I own a few vintage irons which make fab doorstops :)

CC said...

I've not seen these before..what great collectables. Can you imagine actually having to use them? Nappy VTT and have a lovely weekend.

Susan said...

Don't tell me these were any of your wedding gifts--LOL. I have never seen anything like the irons you have. I have just learned something new.

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Well they are unusual, I don't like lookin at them because they remind me I need to iron but don't...lol..can you imagine having to use one of these...oh my, bet your glad they are now jusr for looks.

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

These are fantastic! I've never been one to iron but I can appreciate these little works of art.

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

Gracious, those things look like something from the Inquisition! The extra work people once caused themselves!!!! Amazing! Guess some unlucky servant had the "ruffling" job.

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

gosh you got awesome treasures here! what a great collection! seriously where did you find all these awesome stuff???? and the iron, oh my, I pass.. nope.. give me the lighter one.. LOL.. to heavy for a petite girl like me.. hehehehe happy VTT and have a great day!

Gaby Bee said...

These are fantastic! Really great stuff! Enjoyed the visit!

Marie Reed said...

I have never seen anything like that either! It does look heavy! Do you think that you could lug it to a scale and weigh it for us?

Louise (KardKrazy) said...

Those are some interesting irons. I'm feeling so lucky right now I live in an era of permanent press. Can't imageine having to actually put pleasts into something!!

Unknown said...

These are so cool! I've never seen them before, but always wondered how such tiny pleats got into things. Thanks for sharing!

Robin said...

You have quite the collection of these amazing irons Sarah! I have to admit I have never seen any of these before and if I did I would have never guessed them to be irons!

Jan Ely said...

I never knew these existed! Thanks for shring such am interesting item!

ClassyChassy said...

I have never seen anything like that before - so nice of you to share them. I cannot imagine having to use such a thing, but it must have been easier to use them, than to NOT use them and figure a better way to press ruffles!

Jeanne said...

Great Treasures, I have heard of them before but never seen one or if I have I didn't know what it was. Thanks for sharing.

Protector of Vintage said...

Thanks for sharing!! I had never seen such irons before! I think I'd break my back trying to use them. Have a nice day.

SUMMERSTEAD said...

Your irons are simply wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing them.

Barbara Jean said...

Those are very interesting.

Sure glad we do not have to use them! =0)

Thanks for coming by for a visit.

Blessings,
Barbra Jean

Anonymous said...

Ah, that is amazing and I think it actually looks easier to use than a stupid iron. Maybe because I'd rather stand on my head than iron but still, how unique!

Unknown said...

Wondering if you have actually tried to use one? Think everyone had a pleating iron?? Nahhh! No way, did they? Interesting share today, thanks. I automatically find things that are over 100 years old to be most fascinating.

Stephanie said...

I have never seen that before! Thanks so much for sharing! I love it!!!!

Ann said...

Now that is something I have not seen. Thank God, we don't have to actually use those anymore. LOL

Julie said...

I have never seen anything like this. I am so glad that you shared these. I feel like I learned something new...Have a wonderful Thursday, julie

Miri said...

Wonderful post! So very interesting...I'm always intrigued by the gadgets of yesteryear! Your pleaters/irons are really fantastic!

Ruby said...

Wow, That is an interesting piece. I have the flat iron but no pleat pressers! I love to iron linens but this would turn any one off ironing. Thanks, Ruby

Bea said...

I've never seen any such thing. Cool! Great collection you have.

Kris Dickinson said...

I always love seeing your treasures Sarah!

farmlady said...

Woman had it a lot harder a long time ago, didn't they. Can you imagine doing this all the time?
Very interesting VTT. Thanks.

Carrie said...

What fascinating items...I can't imagine having to do such intricate ironing!