Replies

1. 
   starzoe | Feb 23, 2009 05:54am | #1

   If you cannot get the crease out, you can disguise the fold mark with a long row of tiny buttons down the front (if the garment is amenable to such an embellishment).

2. 
   ThreadKoe | Feb 23, 2009 06:24am | #2

   OH DEAR! I am assuming you used your fabric straight home from the store without prewashing it. Unfortunately you may have a real problem here. Sometimes, those foldmarks can become very permanent. Heat, moisture and fading make the marks very hard to remove. You can try to steam them out using a lot of moisture to see if that helps, but you risk shrinking the fabric somewhat. It will take a fair amount of heat and moisture to remove the marks. The fold has been there for a very long time, and the fibres have possibly been permanently creased. Starzoe had the right idea, in that you may have to incorporate some sort of disguise for that fold line.
   Pretreating fabric is one way to check for these types of problems. Even pre ironing to see if foldmarks come out. I seldom use the folded center of fabrics for just this reason if I can avoid it. It is one of the things I also check before purchasing fabric at any price. You can also try a spray starch to see if that helps. TEST a sample scrap FIRST! Good luck. Cathy

1. 
   jpadden53 | Feb 23, 2009 07:30am | #3

   With a rather large scrap I've tried a press cloth, really soaking the piece, steam and still it is in there.  I'm making four matching skirts for bridesmaids so the darling idea of buttons down the front unfortunately won't work.  I'm so lucky to have enough fabric that I can cut a new center front and replace the one that has the cement crease and I've learned a really valuable lesson.

   Thanks so much for such quick responses.

1. 
   Ralphetta | Feb 23, 2009 08:39am | #4

   I've found that sometimes white vinegar and water will remove them. Also, instead of buttons, maybe you could take a very tiny seam down the front.

3. 
   Palady | Feb 23, 2009 06:20pm | #5

   Astute of you to have enough fabric to cut another center front!  A thought should you wish to give setting, or removing, a crease a try at another time. 

   The post of trying a vinegar solution has merit.  1:1 ratio is what I have used to do either one before I purchased a Rajah Press Cloth.  Initially, I learned the doing from my dad who came by it from who knows where.  He would iron the crease of his trousers between dry cleaning.  Realize it matters to do a test on a fabric scrap to determine how the fabric will respond.  If it's unlikley a scrap is avialable, example after removing/setting a hem on a whatever, use the method in the smallest area possible to check the results. 

   Cut open a brown heavy grocery bag.

   Mix a solution of 1:1 water/white vinegar in a wide mouth bowl or measuring cup.

   Use a white wash cloth or fabric piece.

   Set an iron to wool/linen setting.

   Lay the article for creasing, or removing of same, onto an ironing board.

   Place the bag piece over the area to be done.

   Saturated the wash cloth (fabric piece) with the w/wv mix.

   Squeeze out just enough to keep the wash cloth (fabric piece) from dripping.

   Moisten the brown bag thoroughly along the area to be creased or removed.

   Lay the heated iron onto the brown bag.

   There will be a sizzle sound.

   Keep iron in place just until you see a drying of the area beneath the iron.

   Lift the iron and move to another spot, overlapping just a bit.

   Continue in like manner until the entire area to be done is completed.

   Allow the fabric to cool to hand touch before moving.

   If attempting to remove a crease, start on the inside fold of the crease.

   Once this is completed, turn and repeat the process on the opposite side of the fold.

   It may be necessary to do the all more than once to have success.

   The Rajah seems to come & go in the Notions World.  It's pricey as press cloths go, but I've used it for many years with very satisfactory results.  Currently it's available at the next URL's.

   http://www.createforless.com/Sullivans+Rajah+Pressing+Cloth+White/pid115319.aspx?utm_source=become&utm_medium=cse

   http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?code=264450

   Canadian members can scroll at -

   http://www.agreatnotion.com/catalogue/index1.html

   nepa

   ETA -  I realized I missed mentioning a need.

   When you set the iron onto the wet brown bag you need to put some muscle into the "press."  Actually press down on the iron keeping it firmly in place.

   nepa

    

    

    

    

   Edited 2/23/2009 1:55 pm ET by Palady

1. 
   jpadden53 | Feb 23, 2009 07:49pm | #6

   Thanks so much for this. I'll try this when I get home as I have nothing to lose. If I ruin it, then I was planning to do the replacement piece anyway.

1. 
   Palady | Feb 27, 2009 07:29pm | #10

   If you try my dad's water/white viengar appraoch please psot your results.

   nepa

1. 
   jpadden53 | Mar 11, 2009 11:10pm | #18

   Well, after taking some time out to finish the wedding dress, I finally got around to working on the dupioni again. The vinegar/water process with the brown bag worked quite well. It took about three rounds of the process but the crease is just a hint of itself and I'm sure will look beautiful in the wedding party photos! Thanks so much for the details of the "how -to" and I have learned more than one valuable lesson from this almost disaster. I appreciate your expertise and generosity in sharing the process.

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Mar 11, 2009 11:40pm | #19

   OH! HOORAY! I am sooooo glad that you found a solution for your problem. No pun intended. There are some wonderfully smart people who solve some really tough problems here. I am glad you avoided a disaster. Cathy
   PS Thanks for the update, we always love to hear what happens....

   Edited 3/11/2009 4:41 pm ET by ThreadKoe

2. 
   Palady | Mar 12, 2009 04:54am | #21

   >> ... love to hear what happens ...<<

   Indeed, jpadden53 coming back with her results does matter.   There are those itmes when a resolve is offered and one is left to wonder. 

   Your kind to extend your thanks to her as well.  When other members are confronted with a like situation, they'll have an option. 

   An added note.  When the brown grocery bag is dry it can be rolled and stored in a paper towel or the longer heavy duty foil empty tube & used again.  It'll work for some 5 or 6 uses.

   nepa

3. 
   ThreadKoe | Mar 12, 2009 06:23pm | #22

   I often wonder if someone had success with a problem or gave up in disgust. Either way, we all can chalk it up in our files under experience! Thanks for the tip about reusing the bag. One thing I wouldn't have thought of was to hang on to a good heavy bag to use again. Thanks. Cathy

4. 
   Palady | Mar 13, 2009 01:32am | #23

   >> ... a good heavy bag to use again ... <<

   Your astute in realizing these can be hard to come by.  I'd have to say there's been a change in them since the days my dad did his trousers.  The bag has to be heavy.  With the way the world is going, who's to know how long heavy brown sacks will even be around.

   Some scientific member, or chemistry minded one, could probably explain what exactly it is that happens with the combination of items are used.  I just know they come together & give results.

   Originally dad only put creases in.  It was in later years, when budget required I get a hem line out of a fashion, that it came to mind and I tried the all.  My early attempts now has me mentioning to begin with the inside fold first.  For some reason that brings better results.

   nepa

5. 
   Sancin | Mar 13, 2009 01:45am | #24

   A good source, and increasing, for heavy paper bags is garden recyling bags. I originally purchased them for wrapping boxes to ship items, post office paper being thin. I have discovered lots of uses for them and they are cheap and big. Thanks to the suggestion here I will put one in my sewing supplies.

6. 
   Palady | Mar 13, 2009 02:03am | #25

   >>...heavy paper bags is garden recyling bags. ... << 

   Excellent idea!!!  Thank you for the mention.  will persue this as well.  Just in case.

   nepa

7. 
   ThreadKoe | Mar 13, 2009 05:41pm | #26

   Good resource! I never would have thought of them. I will have to pick one up. Thanks! Amazing how resourceful we become as our usual sources of supplies dwindle. Cathy

8. 
   Palady | Mar 12, 2009 04:43am | #20

   Your effort in repeating the water/white vinegar process for crease removal speaks to your determimation.  Short cuts, as I mentioned before, will have a lesser result.

   My gratitude for your taking the time to post your results.  It will surely help when others are confronted by a like issue.  Some how I think my dear Dad is smiling in his spirit world.

   nepa

2. 
   ThreadKoe | Feb 23, 2009 10:25pm | #7

   Thanks for posting this Palady! I have used vinegar in the past, but with uneven results! Now I know where I went wrong. I was reluctant to suggest the vinegar because of my uneven results. Best to let those with good results and expertise post them. Thanks again. Cathy

1. 
   Palady | Feb 27, 2009 07:34pm | #11

   Your very welcome for finding my dad's water/white vinegar pressing approach of interest.   My memory of his doing goes back to the the mid 1930's when I was a tyke.  Now in my 7th decade, much I learned from my parents has held me in good stead.

   Should you have ocassion to follow through, please post your results.

   nepa 

3. 
   JeanM | Feb 23, 2009 10:28pm | #8

   What nice detailed directions.  Thank you.  It beats the usual "For hard-to-crease fabrics use a mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle."

1. 
   Palady | Feb 27, 2009 07:47pm | #12

   My penchant for details can be exasperating for my progeny sometimes.   Yet, MO, it's necessary in some circumstances.  This is an instance.

   Before the arrival of various doings today, some older ways have been forgotten.  I'm thinking the doing has stayed with me because I remember being so fascinated by my dad's deliberate attentiveness to what he was accomplishing.  When I use it, my mind immediately drifts back to my hearing the "sizzle" sound from a nearby chair.  I was allowed to watch only if I stayed in a safe zone.

   Your gracious to acknowledge your interest.  Please consider letting the board know your results should you use the technique. 

   nepa

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Feb 27, 2009 08:19pm | #14

   "Before the arrival of various doings today, some older ways have been forgotten."
   Bless you for remembering and passing them on in such great detail. I had been told of this trick, but like I stated before, I had little success with it because I did not have the proper instructions! Now I do. So many good techniques fall by the wayside if favour of faster methods. What is old becomes new again thanks to dear friends in places like this. Thanks again. Cathy

4. 
   Ceeayche | Feb 27, 2009 04:32pm | #9

   thanks for the detailed instructions!  yet another good use for vinegar!

1. 
   Palady | Feb 27, 2009 08:01pm | #13

   Over the years, when I explained this method to some, the return information was it fell short in the accomplishing.  Asking specifics, I came to realize "short cuts" were used.  A light weight paper bag.  A spray bottle rather than the saturation.  Just placing the iron on the saturated bag without "pressing".  

   I do think it matters to specify there are some situations where this will fall short.  From my experience,  the % of success is the greater.

    Your post of >> ... another good use for vinegar <<  is well said.  In my growing years ,and as an adult, vinegat has been a kitchen staple.  There are books & pamphlets on it that are worth the read.

   nepa

5. 
   JunkQueen | Feb 28, 2009 03:36am | #16

   Palady, my mother used exactly this method of pressing creases in and OUT, and I have used it all my adult life. Cheap and effective.

1. 
   Palady | Mar 01, 2009 03:01am | #17

    WOW!!!  You're gracious to acknowledge the brown bag-water/white vinegar-hot iron press technique for creasing and un... as being known to you.  In all my years, you're the first person to have ever come across my path who was aware of it.

   I do hope the members who will try it for the first time have the success we have know.

   nepa

4. 
   shalomdecatur | Feb 27, 2009 10:18pm | #15

   I had fold marks in a piece of dupioni and they disappeared after putting it through the wash, on a cold gentle cycle using a detergent for delicate fabrics. I even dried it on the lowest setting of my dryer. Hope this works for you.