Fabric Care

Corduroy

Machine wash warm, tumble dry low.

Cotton Knits

Buy an additional 1/4 yard for every 2 yards. Fabric has progressive shrinkage, which means it must be machine-washed in warm water and dried at regular temperature two times before cutting out.

Denim

Wash separately since colors may bleed. Machine wash warm, tumble dry medium. Pre–shrink twice to eliminate all shrinkage. After second drying, remove fabric while slightly damp and iron dry. This prevents crease lines formed in the drying stage. If you want a “faded” look, wash and bleach fabric three to five times.

Faux Fur

Dry cleaning recommended. May be machine washed in cold water. (always test this method first). Machine dry on no-heat fluff cycle or shake fur and air dry.

Ripstop

Completed garment can be warm-water washed and machine-dried on permanent press cycle. The same instructions are appropriate for supplex. Nylon fabrics should only be ironed using a low setting.]

Silk Habotai/China Silk

Hand wash in shampoo, then air dry. Press while damp.

Wool, including Alpaca, Camel Hair, Cashmere, Mohair, and Knits

Hold steam iron 1/2 inch above fabric or preshrink at the drycleaner.

Silk Charmeuse

Preshrink dark colors by holding steam iron 1/2 inch above fabric or preshrink. Dry-clean finished garment. For light colors, hand wash in warm water and shampoo. Rinse with 1 tablespoon of hair conditioner. Air dry. Press while damp. Finished garment can be hand-washed. If you don&t want your silk to fade, use Pantene Colorfast shampoo.

Silk Chiffon

Dry-clean finished garment or hand-wash in 1 tablespoon shampoo. Air dry flat.

Silk Doupioni

Hold steam iron 1/2 inch above fabric to preshrink. Dry-clean finished garment.

Silk Georgette

Hand-wash in warm water with 1 tablespoon of shampoo. Dry flat. Press lightly with steam.

Silk Organza

Hold steam iron 1/2 inch above fabric to preshrink. Since machine washing and drying softens organza, wash only if you want to change the hand. Dry-clean finished garment.

Silk Shantung

Hold steam iron 1/2 inch above fabric to preshrink. Dry-clean finished garment. Fabric will loose luster and body if laundered.

Slinky Knits

Buy an additional 1/4 yard for every 2 yards to allow for fabric shrinkage. Hand or machine-wash in warm water on gentle cycle. Machine-dry cool or dry flat. Do not hang - the fabric will stretch.

Tencel

Machine wash warm, tumble dry permanent press. Remove fabric promptly from dryer to prevent wrinkles from setting. May be dry-cleaned.

Ultrasuede

Pre-washing five times (machine wash warm, tumble dry low) will help relax the fabric and make it more flattering for a garment.

Velour

Buy an additional 1/4 yard for every 2 yards. Fabric has progressive shrinkage, which means it must be machine-washed in warm water and dried at regular temperature two times before cutting out.

Velvet

Rayon blend velvet can be machine-washed and dried, changing the nap slightly and giving it a more vintage look. Try a sample swatch before committing to it. Microfiber and stretch velvet change little in the above process - preshrink before cutting. Cotton velvet is machine washable, preshrink if you intent to wash the finished garment. If completed garment will be dry-cleaned, hold steam iron 1/2 inch above wrong side of fabric before cutting. After garment is complete, spray with Scotch Guard to give added crush resistance. All other velvets need to be pre-shrunk and cleaned by a drycleaner.