swann
Member since 7/16/11
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Date: 2/19/13 2:32 PM I bought a 100% polyester suiting material without lookin at the care instructions which say dry clean only. Why would this material be dry clean only? If I prewash it before I sew and wash it the same way everytime after that, would that be damaging to the garment? |
Julia C
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NV USA
Member since 7/1/07
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Date: 2/19/13 3:15 PM You might try prewashing a 4" square to see how it behaves & for any shrinkage. I tend to prewash/preabuse all fabric prior to use. Much better to find out before sewing that the fabric is a wadder. |
swann
Member since 7/16/11
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Date: 2/19/13 5:53 PM Yeah, if I abuse it like prewash in warm water and everything, it shouldn't shrink anymore right? Will it expand?! thanks for the tip! when it comes in the mail I'll test a 4x4 piece. I just don't understand why a polyester might be dry clean except for shrinkage, and wouldn't that be solved by prewashing? |
Elona
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CA USA
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 2 members like this.
Date: 2/19/13 7:10 PM It should neither shrink nor expand after that.
I suspect this is just a CYA maneuver on the part of the vendor. |
NonieA1
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FL USA
Member since 11/3/10
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Date: 2/20/13 5:00 AM It could also be the sizing in the material that would be loss if washed which is why it would be drycleaned only. I agree with Julia C regarding testing a swatch to see how it behaves. Myself, I would wash on delicate, cold/cold with low spin in the washer and delicate in the dryer. |
PattiAnnJ
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OH USA
Member since 12/3/06
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Date: 2/20/13 11:17 AM This has been the case for a few years now; fabrics we normally wash are labeled dry clean only.
Could just be the mfg is just going the CYA (Cover Your A$$) route.
OOPS... miss Leona's post......
-- Edited on 2/20/13 11:18 AM -- |
swann
Member since 7/16/11
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Date: 2/20/13 2:42 PM I learned a new term now! cya. Lol. Good thing I bought a little more than I needed. I was just hoping I wouldn't sew something I would have dry clean forever. That would be horrible. If prewashing it will undo the dry clean only recommendation, I'm happy. :) |
nicegirl
Intermediate
DC USA
Member since 5/10/06
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Date: 2/20/13 2:52 PM If it's polyester, I doubt it will shrink. If it really needs to be dry cleaned, it's likely, as Nonie says, related to a finish on the fabric that will be washed off with water. Washing a test square will tell.
That said, I prewash everything. If something is going to be ruined by water I want to know before I sew it. I only dryclean the most special pieces. Everyday items get thrown in the washer, *maybe* a hand wash for silk. Not to mention, it can rain pretty hard in DC--I don't want to end up bedraggled because a fabric can't take getting wet. ------
http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com
=================
2007: purchased 115+, sewed 105+
So close to parity, yet so far
Trying again in 2008
Yards purchased: 133
Yards sewn: Somewhere around 95
2009? I give up |
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