stirwatersblue
Intermediate
KS USA
Member since 12/13/08
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Date: 5/11/12 3:48 PM I have a couple yards of a foil-print* rayon jersey from Fabric.com, and I keep waffling on how to pre-wash it. I'd like to machine wash warm/delicate, and machine dry low when it's finished (making a blousy peasant top), but I know the shrinkage with rayon can be substantial. Do I dare blast it with a little more heat in the pre-treat stage? How brutal can I get here?
Thanks!!
*The foil print is teeny-tiny gold fleurs de lis, not an allover design that's likely to crack or peel. ------
~Gem in the prairie |
Michelle L
 
Intermediate
MO USA
Member since 1/20/08
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In reply to stirwatersblue <<
Date: 5/11/12 4:02 PM Why not cut a small sample of it and toss it in the machine for some abuse? See how it comes out and then you can decide how to treat the rest. ------
Michelle
http://cheapandpicky.blogspot.com/ |
Nancy K
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NY USA
Member since 12/28/04
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In reply to stirwatersblue <<
Date: 5/11/12 6:23 PM If you are unsure then absolutely do a test first. I would not dry it at a higher temperature. I haven't had a problem with rayon shrinking further after only prewashing once. But I also don't dry the finished garment in the dryer. ------
www.nancyksews.blogspot.com |
Elona
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CA USA
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In reply to stirwatersblue <<
Date: 5/11/12 9:31 PM I've made (and bought) a number of tops made of rayon/lycra jersey. Of course, you can't pre-wash the RTW  but I have pre-washed and machine-dried all such fabric lengths.
I have had no problem with continued shrinkage afterward, and--figuring that these little, lightweight tops are not destined for the ages (same with me), I continue to machine wash and dry them on a short, gentle cycle. Three of them are over four years old, so they have a reasonable life span and look pretty good, all things considered.
Of course, since yours is a foil print, that's a bit special, and a pre-wash test on a swatch is a great idea.
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Judy Kski
Intermediate
FL USA
Member since 10/26/08
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In reply to stirwatersblue <<
Date: 5/12/12 9:15 PM If the fabric is still available at Fabric.com, check to see what they listed as washing instructions. That is what I go by. ------
Judy |
tucsoncarol
Member since 3/4/08
Posts: 5 |
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Date: 5/13/12 3:05 PM My spouse "helps" with the laundry so I always wash a test piece at the most harsh settings my machines will do. I know that no matter how I intend to treat a garment my hubby will throw it in with the towels or his grubby jeans. I find rayon jersey does fine and doesn't shrink horribly. It passes my personal torture test. |
a7yrstitch
Intermediate
TX USA
Member since 4/1/08
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In reply to stirwatersblue <<
Date: 5/13/12 6:59 PM Have you tested any of your fabric yet?
I try to push the envelope when possible and wash a temperature hotter than what I plan to use after constructing the garment.
I'd give this a try on your sample piece. Lay flat in a prefilled sink or tub of water at the temperature that you would normally use to wash the constructed garment. No agitation, drain, rinse in cooler water, no agitation, rinse in cold water. Air dry. Study the fabric for changes, particularly in the foiling. Study the water at each phase, too, to see if anything is flaking off.
Take a new sample, or the sample you just used if you are satisfied that it is basically unchanged as pertains to the foiling. Lay flat in a prefilled sink or tub of water at the temperature that you would like to 'blast' the fabric with. Then repeat as above including air drying.
Then try a sample in the washing machine at both temperatures, as above, and air drying each time.
Then add the dryer step into the sampling process.
......................................................................................
If it were my fabric, I'd just start by folding the whole piece flat into the 'blast' temperature of water and then cooling with rinses as described for the sample. A warm rinse first and then a cool rinse. I would not agitate.
Then I would ease the whole mess into a bucket or big plastic bag and ease it out into the wash machine and set the cycle for my normal after construction wash temperature.
I'm sure the foiling is pretty stable but it would be the combination of extra heat and agitation that would be my primary concern.
------
I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct. |
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