When a fabric is purchased, it is a good practice to take note of the care instructions printed on the fabric bolt; sometimes a printed care label is also available with the fabric purchase.
It is important to preshrink all the elements of the garment, including the zipper, lining and interfacing.
Brightly colored fabrics (red or dark black or navy) need to be pre-shrunk separately as the colors may bleed.
If color continues to run, add three tablespoons of vinegar to the wash water to help set the color.
Preshrinking woolens: Prepare the fabric for preshrinking by evening and straightening it and basting ends and selvedges together. The home process involves rolling the woolen in a wet sheet and allowing it to remain for about eight hours and then pressing the fabric. Pressing is a process by which the iron is lifted up and down on the fabric in a series of up-and down movements that progress in the direction of the lengthwise and crosswise threads.
Sponging the wool cloth:‘Sponging’ partially shrinks wool cloth, removes wrinkles and straightens grain. It is also referred as ‘London shrunk’. The process involves steam pressing the folded fabric and pulling in the direction of bias from the short corners, in order to straighten the grain. This fabric is then pinned to a cutting board and steam pressed. Using a wet cheese cloth will provide extra moisture for pressing.
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