layers of flannel are used, change one layer each week. Place the new layer on the bottom and the used  layer  on  top.  You  can  wash  double-faced flannel and reuse it. If the flannel shrinks, use it on  a  smaller  buck.  If  the  flannel  becomes  hard, apply steam to the surface and work it with the hand until the flannel becomes pliable. Tumbling also  makes  the  flannel  pliable. Change the knitted padding when it becomes scorched or burned. No set time can be given for changing the knitted padding, but under normal operating conditions it should be changed about once  a  month. PRESS LAYS In  machine  pressing,  each  garment  is  finished by a series of LAYS. Each lay is a position of the garment on the buck, and the series should cover the  entire  garment.  Out-of-the-way  places  that cannot  be  pressed  with  the  machine  should  be smoothed  out  with  a  hand  iron. Sequences of lays for shirts and trousers are described on the following pages. The ones given are  considered  the  minimum  for  each  article  when good   quality   pressing   is   desired.   The   lays, however, are not standard with all pressers. For example,  some  laundry  personnel  use  two  lays  for pressing the front of shirts, one with the pocket flap up and the other with the flap down. Other pressers use one lay with the flap down and get accept able work. When  determining  the  proper  sequence  of  lays for  a  garment,    take   into   consideration   the following: 1.  Minimum  number  of  lays  required  to  do the  work  satisfactorily 2.  Logical  sequence  of  lays,  for  easier  and quick  handling 3.  Part  of  the  garment  to  be  pressed  last  to prevent  damage  to  the  finish  of  the  most conspicuous  parts  of  the  garment The lays given for different articles below are now used in ships’ laundries. The following lays for shirts and trousers do not include the use of a hand iron for touch-up work on places difficult to reach with the press. When available, use these irons  as  necessary  to  get  good  quality  work.  A garment  that  is  nearly  finished  should  not  be handled  too  much  in  doing  touch-up. PRESS LAYS FOR SHIRTS Figures 5-37 through 5-39 give the sequence of  lays  for  pressing  a  shirt  on  presses  available in shipboard laundries. The press lays shown are considered  the  minimum  required  in  pressing  a shirt properly. The first lay shows the pressing of a shirt collar on a standard press; it may be done on  a  collar/cuff  press  if  available. Laundries  with  a  sleeve  press  may  use  it  to press  sleeves  in  place  of  a  conventional  press.  The pressing  of  the  inside  of  the  pocket  should  be  done as shown in figures 5-37 through 5-39; however, on  synthetic  uniforms  it  is  not  necessary  and pockets  will  normally  not  fold  back.  Synthetic  and synthetic  blend  uniforms  should  be  finished  in  the dryer  when  possible  as  outlined  in  the  drying section. Spray guns should be used when necessary to  keep  shirts  damp  during  pressing.  This  also improves  the  finished  appearance  of  the  shirt,  Any wrinkles   that   cannot   be   removed   using   the conventional  press  should  be  done  by  a  hand  iron. PRESS LAYS FOR TROUSERS Figures  5-40  and  5-41  illustrate  the  press  lays that  are  used  for  a  pair  of  trousers. Remove   the   trousers   from   the   damp   box. (Keep a wet net over the damp box at all times.) Straighten out the trouser pockets as shown in the first two lays of figure 5-40. Shape the trousers with your hand and dampen, if necessary. Then continue  with  the  lays  as  shown. If the steam pressure in the laundry is below 100  pounds  of  pressure,  you  may  have  to  press the trousers a bit longer to make sure all dampness is  gone,  especially  for  the  inside  pockets.  When matching  the  inseams  be  sure  the  outer  seam matches the inner seam on both legs. If they are not  matched  properly,  the  line  will  run  uneven  on the trousers. When you complete the press lays, hang  the  trousers  on  a  hanger  equipped  with  a trouser guard to prevent lines from setting in the legs  of  the  trousers  during  stowage. FINISHING  OTHER  ARTICLES To finish cap covers you should use a regular iron  and  press  the  band  on  the  small  end  of  a press. Press  garrison  caps  in  two  lays  on  any  type of press. Use one lay for each side. Do NOT press caps with leather bands on a laundry press, The leather will not withstand the temperature of the hot  head. When  you  press  ties,  cut  a  cardboard  form that  will  fit  inside  to  hold  them  straight.  Then press  with  two  lays,  one  for  each  side.  Do  not press wool worsted ties on a laundry press. Use 5-48