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From: bethy
Date: 07-24-2006, 03:25 PM (1 of 3)
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Hi out there, I have eight yards of brand new beautiful silk tissue taffeta to sew flower girl dresses for my daughters. I have never used tissue taffeta before and haven't a clue how to care for it. Do I prewash it? by hand or machine? air dry or machine dryer? low iron heat? After the dresses have been worn, do I dry clean only or can I wash them myself? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. As a side note, the dresses are going to be white, so I am going to make full coverage pinafores by modifying the dress pattern that they will wear over the dresses before and after the ceremony so they won't get stained. I think it's a cute idea and wanted to pass it along. Thanks, Bethy 
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User: bethy
Member since: 12-30-2005 Total posts: 9 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-24-2006, 03:49 PM (2 of 3)
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Silk can be washed -- carefully if it is very delicate. I use cold water, myself and I like to air dry. Sometimes moisture or heat will bring out a natural smell. It should go away when the silk is dry or cools. I usually like to wash the sizing out of fabric before I start to sew so I can get a feel for the drape. But I don't think you should have to with silk if you plan to wash it in cold water and air dry it later. Pam doesn't prewash and she's the expert on fancy fabrics. I'm best with satan (sic). I love the idea of the pinafores. That's Mom thinking. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 07-24-2006, 10:14 PM (3 of 3)
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Bethy you should check with the store where you bought the silk tissue taffeta. Usually the end of the bolt will give the care instructions and the fabric store could look at the code on the end of the bolt and the chart they shoiuld have that will give the care instructions. Also, I've done quite a bit of wedding apparel sewing and I've never washed the fabric before sewing it. Some fabrics (most regular garment) should be washed prior to sewing but as far as I know, I havent' heard anyone sewing wedding apparel say they laundered the fabric first. Most of the fabric for doing wedding apparel is not washable and I would think you would want the sort of stiffness and poofiness most little flower girl dresses have in them. Just my opinion, however. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
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