I always prewash my washable fabrics. It has been a long time since I used a dry clean only fabric. I have just purchased several pieces of wool to make a couple of jackets. I wanted to take them to a dry cleaner to have them “precleaned”. I wanted thoughts and suggestions regarding whether this is necessary. I would never consider making a garmet without “prewashing”. However, my cleaner was a little preplexed today about what to charge me and what to do. Thank you.
Conversational Threads
Threads Insider
Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, projects, and more.
Start Your Free TrialAlready an Insider? Log in
Conversational Threads
Threads Insider Exclusives
View All-
Hand Basting Technique 101
-
A Year of "Re": Reimagining Art as a Garment
-
From Punk to Pearls T-shirt: A Fashionable Nod to Valentino
-
Key Measurements for Making Pants
-
How to Sew Blind Tucks
-
Add Shimmer to a No-Sew Summer Wrap
-
Threads/ASDP: Past to Present Challenge
-
How to Sew Comfortable, Secure Corsets
-
How to Make Sewing Pressing Forms
-
Construction Techniques for Peaked Lapels
-
A Year of "Re": Towels Repurposed as a Reversible Jacket
-
Finishes for Exposed Seams and Fabric That Frays
-
A Year of "Re": White Top Remake
-
Riffs on a Trusted Pattern: A Silk Top for the Finale
-
A Year of "Re": Linen Romper Reinvented
-
A Bound Buttonhole from a Balmain-Designed Uniform
Highlights
-
Sign up for the Threads eletter
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.See all newsletters -
Sponsored Content
Where to Buy
-
-
-
-
Replies
pre-washing only shrinks and softens fabric, which is advisable when sewiing so that the garment pieces won't change shape, size and drape individually after the first wash, causing poor fitting, and puckering at seams.dry cleaning does not change shape, size or drape and is unneccessary before cutting pattern pieces.
Thank you.
I always bring my wool yardage to the cleaners to be "steamed" only, no cleaning. Many moons ago I worked in a garment factory that did most of its work in wools. They were not always "sponged" and we would have to send them out for sponging when that happened. So I don't trust wool yardage to be ready for a good steam press unless I have had it steamed. JMHO
Many thanks for this discussion. Months ago I took some wool yardage to a dry cleaner and asked them to shrink it for me and they said, "we can't do that because we don't have any hot water." It surprised me and I said, "ok" ....I realized later that I just wanted it steamed. Live and learn......thanks again. Barbara
indeed, live and learn!
This post is archived.