PatternReview.com online sewing community
Online Sewing Class: More Knits
Register Today!
Join our community of 579,294 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,294 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
Member since 9/26/04
Posts: 478
Send Message
Posted on: 2/20/05 9:37 AM ET
I've just finished pre-shrinking a lot of interfacing that I bought at Joanns sale, and I have wet interfacing everywhere. Why doesn't this stuff come pre-shrunk? It always has to be pre-shrunk so wouldn't it be more efficient for it to be done at the factory? If somebody has a rational reason for this please tell me, because at the moment I feel seriously taken advantage of.

Jennifer (whose DH is wandering around trying to find a bathroom that isn't already occupied by interfacing.)
  
Member since 11/30/04
Posts: 416
Send Message
Posted on: 2/20/05 12:25 PM ET
This is so funny! I have to laugh out loud.

Once I went through a factory where they made (fine) men's fine suits. The process all started at this huge machine that shrunk the fabric. It looked like a paper making machine with all its rolls and long expanses of fabric whirling along. It was hot and steamy and at times breezy. The guy that operated the whole affair had a job title that was a carry over from days gone by. They called him
"The Master Sponger."

Maybe the interfacing factories should be "sponging" differently!
  
Member since 9/20/04
Posts: 245
Send Message
Posted on: 2/20/05 2:24 PM ET
Right On!!
Manufactures *take notice*!!! Almost 30K sewist agree and would seek this product out if you made it
  
Contest Committee
Member since 7/30/02
Posts: 8991
Send Message
Posted on: 2/20/05 2:42 PM ET
You got that right! I end up forgetting which I have preshrunk & which I haven't; I need to develop a system for that.

Linda, that tour must have been very interesting.
------
With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
  
Member since 4/4/02
Posts: 7876
Send Message
Posted on: 2/20/05 2:58 PM ET
Well, occasionally you will see fabrics labelled as "preshrunk" or "needle-ready". Does that mean you shouldn't still preshrink them? I wouldn't take that gamble. As fabrics are rolled onto tubes or bolts *by machine* it is stretched a bit. Not only does the preshrinking process shrink the fabric it also returns it to it's original, unstretched state.

Manufacturers send their interfacings out to be professionally preshrunk. That being said I've still had some bad experiences in RTW clothing with interfacings shrinking after cleaning.

Even if an interfacing was labelled "preshrunk" I would still pretreat it at home. The one exception being Palmer/Pletsch's Sheer interfacing. It's a poly knit so I just steam it bit before fusing.
  
Member since 6/28/03
Posts: 1053
Send Message
Posted on: 2/20/05 5:57 PM ET
I have never, ever pre shrunk interfacing
Do you pre shrink even if it is the fusible kind?
How do you do it? By hand or in the washer?
Boy, do I feel like a doofus tonight!
  
Member since 11/30/04
Posts: 416
Send Message
Posted on: 2/20/05 6:01 PM ET
I've heard that the Pamer Pletsch stuff is manufactured in France. These people know about sewing.
  
Member since 11/30/04
Posts: 416
Send Message
Posted on: 2/20/05 6:04 PM ET
Yes, that tour was fantastic. Would you guess? I can't remember what the name of it was either. It was in Chicago. The thing that really impressed me the most, though, was the cutting process.
It was done with computerized laser. I sure would love to have a laser cutting sit up. That is my least favorite task.
  
Contest Committee
Member since 7/30/02
Posts: 8991
Send Message
Posted on: 2/20/05 6:21 PM ET
pre-shrinking interfacing thread
storing interfacing thread (with pre-washing discussion as well)


Wow, laser cutting? Doesn't that sound sci-fi.


-- Edited on 2/20/05 7:23 PM --
------
With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
  
Member since 11/30/04
Posts: 416
Send Message
Posted on: 2/20/05 8:43 PM ET
it was "Trekie"...but they didn't make Klingon suits.
  
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Elliott Berman Textiles
High-end Fashion Fabrics
Specials!