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Putting Cotton Lawn fabric in dryer before sewing? I put some Cotton Lawn in the dryer, and now I can't get the wrinkles out!
LoveSewingAlot Advanced Beginner GA USA Member since 3/8/13 Posts: 3	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/8/13 11:14 AM I always like to pre-shrink my fabric as much as possible before cutting and sewing. When I took the cotton lawn out of the dryer, and immediately pressed, it seemed to wrinkle alot. I know it is a delicate fabric, but I thought the wrinkles would press out, and it wouldn't wrinkle like this! It's the first time I ever used this fabric! PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -- Edited on 3/8/13 11:14 AM --
Debbie Lancaster   Intermediate CA USA Member since 9/18/02 Posts: 1662	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 3/8/13 11:47 AM You could try dampening the fabric and pressing again. Or you could try spray starch. Or you could try rewashing it and hanging it to dry, then pressing while still damp. But sometimes the fabric is just that way, and there's no way to get the wrinkles out no matter what you try, and the fabric is destined for the trash. And if it acts like this now, what would it be like after you've put a lot of time and effort into it to make a beautiful garment? Irritating, but at least you didn't make an heirloom blouse out of it first. That would be heartbreaking. ------ Debbie
Jessica Dean Advanced Beginner PA USA Member since 10/3/12 Posts: 34	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/4/13 6:59 PM LoveSewingAlot - I'm a modern sewing novice but have used many yards of cotton lawn in historic costuming. I love the stuff. When you first get it, it usually has a "stiffener" in it. In the future when you want to pre-wash your lawn, just try a swatch first and see if it shrinks at all. Mine usually doesn't. Then you can hang it and it dries very quickly. Once it's washed it is very limp and harder to work with. At this point I hope you haven't trashed your fabric. If you have given up on it all together, you are more than welcome to gift it to me. Lol If you want to use it, I'd try the starch suggestion. Just a light starch. Or you can take it to the dry cleaners and have them starch it for you. When you cut or sew with it, and it's still very limp and doesn't want to stay in place, you can sandwich it between tissue paper. That makes it much easier to cut as well as sew. The paper can, very carefully, be torn away when you are done. This also works well with sheer, limp silks and wools. Good luck with your lawn. I hope you come to love this fabric, and working with it, as much as I do. :) Disclaimer – I am a total novice to modern sewing terms and techniques so please forgive my lack of proper terminology. Thanks. :) -- Edited on 4/4/13 7:04 PM -- ------ Jessica Dean Modern Sewing: http://sterlingthimble.blogspot.com/ Historic Sewing: http://www.jessicadeandesign.blogspot.com
wendyrb   Advanced CA Member since 12/30/11 Posts: 1276	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 4/4/13 7:28 PM Not to be a smart alec, but I'd go with what the fabric is saying. Wants to be wrinkled. Try a relaxed style that looks good rumpled- billowy, gathered or tiered, say a blouse with rolled sleeves, etc. Seems fighting it could be a losing battle, so just call it a design detail! ------ Sometimes she didn't always follow the recipe. Pfonzie- my honey Pfaff Creative Performance, Bernina 930 and 830, Evolution serger.
KiwiWendy Advanced AUSTRALIA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 2232	Login to reply to this post In reply to LoveSewingAlot << Like this post Date: 4/4/13 7:39 PM you could try wetting it, and putting it back in the dryer, but take it out before it's completely dry, and hang it over a shower rail to finish off. ------ Sydney, Australia

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