Italian iron

plural Italian irons

1. historicalA tool used to goffer textiles or to smooth ruffles or frills.

   Goffering is done with an Italian iron, but it is not suitable for narrow or very delicate frilling, as it produces a stiff effect.

   1877, “Ironing”, in Edward T. Stevens, editor, Domestic Economy for Girls, in three books, volume III, page 101

   1 more example

   Very little has been written about the history of goffering irons, and no examples of this early period have been identified in English museums. Most of what is known is to be found in Lindsay (p. 36 and figs. 194-206), who notes that the tools were also known as tally irons—a corruption of “Italian irons,” whence the process is thought to have come.

   2001, Ivor Noel Hume, Archaeology of Martin's Hundred, →OCLC, page 360

   Synonyms: tally iron, goffering iron