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From: NeedleWorker
Date: 09-26-2006, 02:06 PM (1 of 8)
| How in the world do wash and iron velvet? I have some gorgeous patriot blue velvet but how do I keep it clean? Thanks Yvette |
User: NeedleWorker
Member since: 04-05-2006 Total posts: 13 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 09-26-2006, 04:25 PM (2 of 8)
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Depends...did you read the content and wash lable on the end of the bolt..(if it was on a round bolt or a square winding bolt, those are usually dry clean.) If it's plush and you can almost see throught it, dry clean. If it's very heavy and the backing is solid you 'might' get away with cold water wash... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: paroper
Date: 09-26-2006, 06:12 PM (3 of 8)
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Velvet crushes. The best way to press velvet is with an needle board (expensive). The needles hold the velvet suspended so that the fibres fall inside the board. Cotton velveteen can be washed and so can stretch velour. When they get wet they do not pack. Cotton Velveteen which is not very soft can usually be pressed with the face on a fluffy towel. These are not fabrics you want to put in the laundry basket for a week and leave them though. They need to be hung immediately after washing. It is also not a good idea to sling them over a hanger and let the pressure of the hanger press the face of the velveteen. Good velvet will pack with just a drop of water and a touch. Once it is packed I know of no method to "cure" it. The good velvets start about 12 dollars a yard and increase with the fabric content and length of pile. A good dry cleaner will be able to clean your velvet garments. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: NeedleWorker
Date: 09-26-2006, 09:31 PM (4 of 8)
| I bought 3 yards of this velvet at the thrift store for $4 dollars because it has a very tiny rust smudge on it at the end. The fabric is very very thick to the touch and can't see through it. I don't know what kind of velvet it is. WHat the store did was fold 3 yards in to this tight tiny square bundle and tape it with packaging tape tightly together. It needs to be ironed but I don't want to ruin it. I have never owned or sewn anything that is velvet. So I am clueless in this area. Your comments are appreciated-- Yvette |
User: NeedleWorker
Member since: 04-05-2006 Total posts: 13 |
From: Sancin
Date: 09-26-2006, 09:43 PM (5 of 8)
I wash almost everything, but velvet I wouldn't even try. If it is crushed I would loosely fold it from the edges only and very carefully pin the edges to a hanger and leave it in a steamy bathroom - run your shower on very hot. Or - you may be able to take it to a clothing store where they have a steamer and talk nicely to the staff and let you do it there. Many years ago I bought a little steamer, similar to an iron but as I recall it was a pain in the neck to use and I no longer have it. I do have what I call "Nancy's Folly" - one of those steamers you see on late night TV and occasionally in stores. It works quite well but doesn't hold much water and thus does not steam for long. If you steam it, make sure it is really dry before handling it. As for the rust spots, you may have to pretend they are part of the pattern. 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: Sancin
Date: 09-26-2006, 09:48 PM (6 of 8)
Forgot to add. As for sewing it, you want a very simple design and do not press the seams. You will need a needle board as Pam suggests but they are expensive. I have a truly gorgeous velvet print jacket that in a hurry to fix a hem touched the iron to the bottom. That place looks like entirely different fabric and I rarely wear the jacket any more -  It sounds like you have remnant - perhaps you should consider using the fabric for embellishements only. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: paroper
Date: 09-26-2006, 09:52 PM (7 of 8)
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A rayon velvet will be very shiny. It is the most desirable of all velvets, it is soft and drapes well. The dark colors are intense...the kind of intensity you feel like you could drown in. A velveteen will be stiffer more like a cotton fabric although it will drape (some), it will be more resistant. The colors are not intense and the nap is low. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: kmccrea
Date: 09-28-2006, 01:27 AM (8 of 8)
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If you need to iron the velvet, put a thick terry cloth towel on your ironing board. Place the velvet over the towel face down, noting the direction of the nap. Take your iron and just touching the velvet, press. No moving the iron or pressing hard! Just use enough heat and pressure to remove the creases and wrinkles. If you must move the iron over the fabric, make sure you are going the same direction as the nap. Rayon, cotton and silk velvet can be handwashed and laid flat to dry. Don't hang it to dry even after you've constructed your garment. Supposedly, you can machine wash and dry cotton velvet, but I've never tried it (too scared). Good Luck, Kate Katherine McCrea
Designer At Large |
User: kmccrea
Member since: 05-07-2006 Total posts: 173 
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