Hello,
I have a length of dupioni silk that I need to prepare, and I’m not quite sure how to go about it. I was taught that you pre-shrink the fabric in the same manner as you will always launder it… but sometimes I’ve ‘cheated’ and handwashed something. This is just plain, solid silk, with the slubs, no decorations, beading etc… it was handwoven, though. I’ve probably answered my own question… the more I think about it, the more I think I should send it to the cleaners to be cleaned and pressed to shrink.
My issue is, in my small town, there is only one cleaners that does a halfway decent job, and then it’s hit or miss at that. I’m not sure how to explain to them what I need done. My thoughts were to ask them to clean the piece and then finish by hand, so that if there is to be any shrinkage to the fabric, it will do so then before the garment is cut. I can’t think of any simpler way to explain it.
Does anyone else take fabrics to the cleaners to have it pre-shrunk? What do you ask for?
Thanks very much.