I have a dumb question(s). I don't understand steamers. What's the point? What do they do exactly? How do you use them? When do you use them? Why do you use them?

Ironing I totally get. I do all the ironing in my house thanks to having warn a military uniform in the past. I understand that the steam of the iron "softens" things up and the flat face of the iron allows you to press the cloth into your desired shape. So far I have never had to iron any of my kilts; but up until now, I had always assumed that should that time come, I would confidently whip out the iron and erect the ironing board and go to town. (wow, that was way too Freudian )

Anyway... Jimmy Carbomb, mentioned the oven-mit idea. Makes sense. But I guess I am just being air-headed. I don't fully get it. You have the kilt hanging in the air floating free not against any hard surface, you have to manipulate the pleats with your hands (oven-mitted), and hold the steamer head thingy... which leads me to: does that steamer head thingy "point" at the cloth and steam it, or do you "press" it into the cloth? I don't have enough hands I am guessing. All I keep picturing is one of those grizzly yet strangely hilarious crime-scene photos. "Detective? Do you think the cause of death was steam burns, suffocation, or strangulation?" ... "We'll have to let the M.E. decide. Poor bastard. Clearly this was a cry for help."

Pardon my ignorance.
-ian