Replies

1. 
   katina | Nov 27, 2006 03:17pm | #1

   Hi

   I remember Sandra Betzina talking about pre-shrinking wool at the dry cleaners.

   I Googled this and am giving you the link to my first hit. Hope this helps.

   http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/sewingclasses/board.pl?t=16397

2. 
   NH | Nov 27, 2006 04:15pm | #2

   This is the way I was taught to shrink wool years ago when I first learned to sew.
   Straighten the ends by tearing or pulling a thread. This is necessary to make sure the wool is on grain. Fold right sides together & hand baste with all edges lined up accurately. (doesn't take that long because you can use huge stitches) Wet a large sheet & wring it out thoroughly, then fold it around the wool like bread on a long sandwich, roll it up, & leave in a plastic bag overnight. In the morning, you will need a very long flat surface covered with plastic bags, etc. on which to spread the wool flat to dry. Shake & pat it until it is accurately on grain- obviously this is very important. Since the wool is quite damp, it can take a couple of days to dry- you can put it on towels, turn it over, etc. to speed drying. Frequently I press it (still basted together) when it's still slightly damp, but am careful not to let it hang or stretch to distort the grain.
   Hope this helps- NH

1. 
   user-233175 | Nov 28, 2006 06:21am | #3

   Thanks so much for the information.

3. 
   TJSEWS | Nov 29, 2006 01:36am | #4

   I have used two methods of preshrinking wool and unfortunately, they did not work for me. 

   I washed a bed sheet and then carefully wrapped the wool around the damp sheet.  Then I put plastic bags on the floor and put the "roll" on the plastic bags.  Then I put heavy books on top to make sure the wool gets saturated (not wet, but saturated with the "dampness.")  After 24 hours, I unroll the wool and then place it flat on my bed and steam shrink it with a steam iron 1/2 inch away from the fabric.

   After all of that, I made a pair of pants.  I wore them a couple of times and then once I took them to the dry cleaners, they had shrunk.  I had to let them out and then they just didn't hang the way they had before so I am disappointed.

   I don't know what I did wrong.

   On a separate occasion, I asked my local cleaners whether they preshrink fabric, and they did not know what I was talking about. 

1. 
   user-233175 | Nov 30, 2006 10:50pm | #5

   I had my wool pre shrunk at dry cleaners and and they still shrunk when I had them cleaned.  Now I don't know what to do. Thanks for your information.

4. 
   KarenW | Dec 01, 2006 12:19am | #6

   I find I'm machine washing/drying more and more wools (prior to sewing).  Many come out just fine... a crepe will become more spongy and textured, but many others retain their integrity.  Try a 6"x6" swatch or 12x12 first though!  I usually do it on gentle in warm water then dry to start and if I'm happy with the results I wash the yardage.  If not, I may try a different temp or not dry all the way before deciding. 9 times out of 10 I'm washing the wool yardage... so much easier than the London shrink in damp sheets!  And a lot cheaper than my cleaners.  I did just recently get a continuous feed steam iron, haven't tried that yet but for long pieces (i.e. for a pantsuit) it's still a lot of yardage to stand and steam.   Oh - and I have a front loading washer.  I've had it not quite two years but do find it to be a lot more gentle than the old agitator, though I used that as well, just had to be more conscientious about the delicate cycle.

   Karen

   Edited 11/30/2006 4:20 pm ET by KarenW