Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: bridesmom
Date: 01-21-2004, 04:47 PM (1 of 6)
|
I am 2/3 of the way sewing my daughters wedding dress and I am wondering when its done, do I take it to a professional dry cleaners and have it pressed or do I do it myself? It is a crepe back satin with netting attached to inside of satin, lining with two layers of tulle and an organza overdress with beading. After all this work I'd be sick if I took it to a cleaners and they screwed it up somehow, yet I want it to look absolutely wonderful. Any tips for ironing this satin, to get the seams looking their best?
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 01-22-2004, 04:03 PM (2 of 6)
|
Bridesmom: I have Susan Khalje's Bridal Couture book and here is what she says about pressing. This may be a little long so bear with me, please. "Pressing Equipment: A simple dry iron, a spray bottle full of water, a silk organza pressing cloth, a ham, a sleeve board, sprach starch (for lace) and a thick terry towel are thepressing suppliesI use regularly. you don't need steam and the pressure of a heave, professional steam iron for pressing fine silks and other bridal fabrics. as I am always afraid that water will leak from an steam iron at the wrong time, ruining a garment. Using a spray bottle allows you to control exactly how much moistureyou use. Use a ham when pressing over rounded surfaces (princess seamsl, all darts, sside seams which curve) and always use a silk organza pressing cloth as it can tolerate any temperature from the iron and is somewhattransparent. Spray starch useful for stiffening lace which is pressed face down into a thick towel. " She also recommends that you press as you construct. After stitching, seams must be pressed flat, still unopened, to meld the stitches. Pressure is applied straight down, without moving the iron or shifting the fabric. The seams are then opened (they can be spread apart with a fingernail). It is critical, especially when multiple layers are involved, that the seam be fully spread; otherwise small creases will inevitably be pressed in and they are impossible to remove. Fine fashion are soldom pressed on the right side; it is too easy for underlayers or the hem to sshow through, for the fabric to glaze, or for a crease to sneak in. Steam and pressure are not essential in pressing of fine fabrics. Hope this helps and you might want to try and find this book, it is wonderful when constructing bridal/formal wear. Patsy Patsy
|
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 01-24-2004, 12:19 PM (3 of 6)
|
Wow! I am really glad you sent that! I have been pressing all seams as the book stated and will give it a once over when it is complete and just before she wears it. Now I just need to find some kind of garment bag to keep it clean until the wedding. Thanks so much. L
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Llantrisant
Date: 01-24-2004, 02:41 PM (4 of 6)
|
A nice technique to freshen up any creases that my occur when stored i s this ......> boil an electric kettle,hang the gown up high above it,let the steam pass thru all layers for about 5mins or longer,then let air dry, fluffing up before is totally dry.This should take out any little wrinkles in the gown. I have done this in the shower room, hung a dress by the hanger, over the shower rail, with kettle steaming away under neath the dress. 
If at first you don't suceed, try-try again!
|
User: Llantrisant
Member since: 06-02-2002 Total posts: 144 
|
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-24-2004, 08:36 PM (5 of 6)
A lady I know who has made wedding dresses for years uses white cotton sheets instead of garment bags to cover them with.. She just clips clothes pins to hold in place..Works great..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: bridesmom
Date: 01-25-2004, 07:11 PM (6 of 6)
|
Thanks for all the tips, you have all been extremely helpful and I am very grateful. I feel much less stress about this whole thing now. L
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-11899.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft