Taking care of your fabric

Introduction

The proper care of clothes ensures that the garments last longer and gives one value for money and look great after a number of washings. The garments that can be washed have been explained in the chapter “Fibre and Fabrics ”. In this chapter the topics covered are maximum ironing temperatures and spots and stain removal from various fabrics. These are important for proper care of garments and fabrics.

Pressing or ironing

To get wrinkles out of the handkerchief one pushes the iron along, this is ironing - a gliding motion. Pressing is an up and down motion. Lower the iron, press, and lift and move on to another section of the fabric. Then again lower the iron, press and lift the iron; this is the pressing motion. As ironing has long strokes it is done on flat surfaces. Pressing is done on small surfaces using various pads to suit the shape of different pieces and parts of the garment. For the shaped three-dimensional garments it is advisable to use small shaped pads for pressing. For better finishing, it is advisable to press each and every dart and press-open every seam while stitching. Press open every enclosed seam before turning the facing back to the underside.

It is so much easier to topstitch an edge when it has been pressed flat. It is far easier to insert a zipper after seam allowance has been pressed back first. Do not press over pins or basting as they leave marks.

Pressing special fabrics

a) Crepe weave fabric- Crepe weave fabrics tend to shrivel when damp and stretch with pressure. Place a press pad under the fabric and a press cloth over the fabric to retain the crinkle. Press lightly at required temperature depending on the type of fibre.

b) Furs- They require very little or no pressing. Press from the wrong side, if you choose to press, use a self- fabric or a thick pile fabric like toweling as a press cloth.

c) Napped fabrics- same as for furs using either a self fabric or a thick pile fabric like toweling as press cloth.

d) Slubbed, looped, ribbed fabrics- Place the right side of the material against the right side of self-fabric or terry cloth. Using a light touch steam the fabric.

e) Wool- press lightly using a press cloth with moderately hot iron and steam lightly, if required.

f) Metallic fabrics- ironing should be avoided as they may get permanently creased while being ironed. If necessary, press lightly with a warm iron over a dry press cloth.

g) Leather or leather-like and coated fabrics- should not be ironed.

h) Lace fabrics- in order to preserve the raised structure of lace, place it over a thick towel and cover with press cloth and steam iron lightly.