Ruthless Washing Pays Off !
Submitted by Off the Cuff Style
I recently received an email from a sewing-friend who asked,
” …Sometimes even though I pre-shrink my fabrics, the seams of the shirts I sew will pucker slightly. I assume this is because my thread shrinks. Is there a thread I should be using that won’t shrink?”
This was my answer…
Chances are it is not shrinking thread causing the puckers….although, do check your machine’s tension and make sure it’s balanced.
Beyond that……
When you pre-shrink your fabric,
do it “RUTHLESSLY” !
I tell my shirt-making students to pre-treat (pre-wash) their fabric without mercy! {smile} …in other words, if you plan to wash the finished garment in warm water and dry on medium heat, make sure you pre-treat (pre-wash) your fabric in HOT water and dry in a HOT dryer (this is presuming cotton or linen or other natural fabric that can handle hot washing).
If you plan to wash the finished garment in cold water and dry with gentle heat, make sure you pre-treat (pre-wash) your fabric in WARM water and dry in a WARM dryer.
If your yardage needs pressing after the pre-washing process…make SURE you DO NOT STRETCH the yardage.
While stitching, use the “Taut Sewing Technique” — hold the fabric both behind and in front of the needle, so that the fabric is taut as it travels under the foot. Don’t pull hard, just make sure it is “taut”.
That should help prevent those pesky puckers!
Labels: Sewing Tutorials, Tips / Techniques
