Wrinkled Flags

[themilitaryman]

I was reading some posts about ironing flags on low heat with a towel or rolling them up to get rid of wrinkles. Is it okay to use a steamer on severly wrinkled Japanese flags? What's the best method you guys have used? Just wondering as I'm new to this field.

Justin

[Stu W]

I have used a low heat iron with success. I placed a piece of cotton between the iron and the flag to protect the flag itself. I would not use steam in any fashion. A buddy of mine did and to his dismay it caused the kanji to blur and the edges of the orb to run. Perhaps he used too much and less steam would be suitable, I don't know, but I would not risk it.

I also found that starting in the centre and working outward gave the best wrinkle removal results.

Having said that, unless you plan to frame the flag I suggest leaving it alone. Store it flat if you have the space or roll it if you do not.

Regards,
Stu

[themilitaryman]

I have used a low heat iron with success. I placed a piece of cotton between the iron and the flag to protect the flag itself. I would not use steam in any fashion. A buddy of mine did and to his dismay it caused the kanji to blur and the edges of the orb to run. Perhaps he used too much and less steam would be suitable, I don't know, but I would not risk it.

I also found that starting in the centre and working outward gave the best wrinkle removal results.

Having said that, unless you plan to frame the flag I suggest leaving it alone. Store it flat if you have the space or roll it if you do not.

Regards,
Stu

Thank you

[Paul G]

I have had very good success with a steamer. My wife bought a portable hand held unit for taking the wrinkles out of her silk blouses and silk curtains. She uses it for her dry clean only/ delicate items. I tried it and it worked out great! I hang the flag from my plastic plantation style shutters with binder clips. I put 2 large binder clips at the bottom, to give the flag a little weight/pull downward. Then I steam out the wrinkles. The key is a little at a time and keep the steamer moving, to avoid too much steam/liquid / heat in one area. The fabric relaxes nicely.

PG-

[Stu W]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your post. As a serious flag collector I know you would not have done the steaming in a haphazard manner so perhaps I'll give it a try myself. Tell me please, did you steam from the from side or the reverse? I'm thinking the reverse would be safer from a moisture perspective but perhaps not required. Also, have you found different success rates between flags made of cotton, rayon, silk or other fabric?

Regards,
Stu

[Stu W]

... Also, do you start at the top edge and work across and down or begin at the bottom and have the fabric relax as you move upward?

Regards,
Stu

[Jareth]

My wife & I love her standup steamer! I've "borrowed" it for my military tasks more than once

[Paul G]

HI Stu, All very good questions! I steam from the back, but have done the front without harm, as I try not to get it too moist or too hot. Both work fine, but like you, i figured it would be a safer method. I start at the top top left, only because I am right handed, and it works well. I move from left to right in an up and down fashion, keeping the steamer moving, almost as if you are rolling paint onto a wall. You can see the fabric relax. The lighter silk will relax the fastest and the heavier cotton will take a little more work, with the sharp creases taking the longest. I never steam them enough to remove every one of the smallest wrinkles, just enough until you like what you see. It makes an amazing difference. I let them hang with the binder clips on them until I am 100% sure they are dry, as I would hate to have a mold / mildew issue after I return them to storage. Try it on a plain, unsigned, heavier weight flag first, you will get the feel for it. I rolled my eyes when my wife bought the steamer, until I found my use for it

PG-

[Jareth]

Paul mentions an important step. After steaming they should remain hanging so any moisture will air dry before storing the flags.

[Staldion]

Thank you for all your advices, I would blame myself forever if I hurt a single Yosegaki. I will definitly try with an unsigned cotton hinomaru to make my hand and see how it works.