Do I need a new iron?

greensalad

I just recently bought a whole set of cotton percale bedsheets from John Lewis, "crisp and fresh" 400 threadcount. Washed them to prepare for first use and coming out of the tumble dryer they were incredibly creased, so thought I should give them an iron. I don't normally iron bedsheets but thought maybe I'd have to start based on these.

However after going at a pillowcase for 25 minutes with my Philips steam iron, full setting, with continuous steam on, they are still HORRIBLY creased. Look terrible. I've bought these for the guest room and honestly I'd be embarrassed to put them on the bed! 

Is it my iron? Like I said, I went mad on this one pillowcase and it still looks completely terrible. My ironing board has a Brabantia metallic over on it, so I don't think it's caused by that. They look awful. 

daveyjp

Its the tumble dryer. Wash again and dry until damp then iron.

Ectophile

People tend to tumble dry things until they are crispy dry.  If you stop while things are still a little damp, they are much easier to iron.

I find with cotton, it's very easy to accidentally iron in creases, rather than iron them out, if you're not careful enough.  Don't let the fabric crumple under the iron.

greensalad

Attempting wash again, you're right I probably did do them a little too much. But let's see!

twopenny

It looks like there's some fancy stitching that has been shrunk by a hot iron making it shorter and the cotton resulting in bunching. 
Not sure what will help now but cotton/linen should be ironed with a hot iron + steam while not quite completely dry.
The old way was to sprinkle or spray with cold water and fold and leave so the damp penetrates ready for a hot iron.
Don't iron when wet air it will scorch, brown marks.
I have John Lewis cotton sheets and there is nothing more wonderful than an air dried ironed cotton sheet. One of lifes pleasures and totally worth the effort