Should a garment need repairing of any kind or a button sewed on, do it and charge accordingly.
Never give a customer clothes that are damp from pressing, allow them to dry before wearing or delivering.
Introduction: A few hints to the beginner as well as to those now in the business. The tools required and the best method of using same, for work at home or for business.
The tools required for cleaning, repairing and pressing at home, or for business are as follows:
For work at home, use an ordinary kitchen table with smooth top. For use in business, a table eight feet long, three feet wide and thirty inches high (or as high as is convenient for the presser, this may be easily determined by using). This is called a tailor's bench. The balance of the tools are the same for work at home or for business.
The kitchen table or tailor's bench may be used for several purposes; the first of which is to place the iron, press-jack, sponge cloth, and garment while cleaning and pressing. Also for men to sit on while sewing.
One may use an ordinary laundry iron (but would advise the purchase of a solid iron or tailor's goose, weighing from fourteen to twenty-two pounds, or according to one's strength), one may heat the iron on a coal range, gas or oil stove; or one may use a gas or electric iron, which are being used with great satisfaction, and are easily handled, being of little trouble to operate, also doing the work well. However, it is best to use whatever one considers most convenient, cheapest and best for the locality in which one resides.
The iron is heated and placed on the iron rest, which has been placed on the table for that purpose, to the right of the presser, and is applied to the sponge cloth (that has been wrung out almost dry), causing steam to penetrate that part of the garment being pressed, thereby refreshing the cloth.
The presser should have control of the iron at all times, also see that the iron is not too hot before using by testing it on a piece of light colored woolen material. If it scorches it is too hot for use, wait for a few minutes to cool.
When pressing move the iron from place to place, on the part to be pressed, by lifting it clear each time, instead of shoving it along as some do. (To shove the iron along on the work is apt to stretch garments where not required, and also cause wrinkles). Keep the face of iron smooth by rubbing wax over the surface frequently, thereby removing any lint or dirt that may accumulate from time to time.