My friend on this Friday is award-winning author Gail Pallotta. She’s  a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. She’s been a Sunday school teacher, a swim-team coordinator and an after-school literary instructor.

Wow! You are a busy woman, Gail. I’m getting tired just reading about it! Anyway…here’s Gail’s post:

Un-wrinkle without Ironing

Hmm. Something about me for my friend, Lillian.

I like good books, long walks on the beach, swimming, visiting with friends and family and wrinkle-free clothing. I’ll share the ways I deal with clothes that wrinkle. These tips are more helpful than inspirational, but they’ve allowed me extra time for things that are.

When I reached the age of ten, I started doing the family ironing. That makes an iron an antique, or at least an outdated tool. I’ve seen the steamers, and most of them look like aliens from other planets to me, so I’ve never bought one.

Over the years I’ve figured out other ways to avoid ironing in case an article of clothing that needs it accidentally ends up in my house. I realize some people like the task. One lady told me she likes ironing and does it to relax. I can think of better ways to unwind, but I go along with personal preference, realizing we’re all different. In case there may be others who think of the chore as slaving over an ironing board, and would prefer not to do it, I’ll share my secrets.

Sometimes it works to put the wrinkled article of clothing in the dryer and let it toss around a few times. It shakes out the creases. If it’s made from a fabric that absolutely can’t be put in the dryer, as soon as it comes out of the washing machine, stretch the material as far as possible without tearing it. First pull tightly on the torso or middle of the garment then the sleeves or legs. Afterward hang it up or lay it flat to dry. This technique works well, or I’m fooling myself, in which case my family and I are walking around unkempt.

Lastly, if possible only purchase wrinkle-free or wrinkle-resistant clothes. Many garments now are polyester or have the synthetic material added. I still remember the day I heard about the cloth, new at the time. I grew excited and wanted to throw away the iron. My mother insisted on a trial period for polyester attire. Then alas, she didn’t like the little balls that rolled up on it. Most Southerners scorned the new fabric, not only for the pills, but it also had an impact on the cotton raised here. Judging from the shirts, dresses, shorts and pants in the stores, I’d say today the two fabrics have made their peace. There’s nothing better than cotton with polyester added to keep it from wrinkling. Polyester garments are soft now too, and those producing it have done away with the pills.

I haven’t added up the hours I’ve saved not ironing, but I know it’s given me more time to take long walks on the beach, swim and visit with family and friends. That’s when I can sit back, take a deep breath and enjoy God’s blessings.

Her teen book, Stopped Cold, was a best-seller on All Romance eBooks, finished fourth in the Preditors and Editors readers poll, and was a finalist for the 2013 Grace Awards. She’s published short stories in “Splickety” magazine and Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler. Some of her published articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. Gail loves to hear from readers. To learn more about her, visit her web site at http://www.gailpallotta.com 

With all Gail does, no wonder she doesn’t want to iron!! H