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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
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From: Magot
Date: 10-12-2006, 04:12 PM (1 of 8)
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Now Mary, I know you love linen so I am hoping you can give me a few hints. I have made a linen suit, with which I am well pleased, the jacket has a sort of self standing collar and looks cool with jeans. All well and good. So , flushed with success I bough some tan linen to make myself a pair of cargo pants, good pattern, fits well and suits me. I thought the casual look of linen would go well. Anyhoo - I bought the fabric, washed and dryed in the dryer before anything else (see I can learn some things). Made the trousers and was well pleased. Over washings though they have shrunk vertically - still fit fine in the waist and bum but the legs are too short. I have let them down but have a line where the hem was where the fabric is slighty paler and the crease is hard to remove. Why did they shrink like this and what can I do about my hemline? (I am NOT a woman who will put braid/embellishements on etc ) At the moment I wear them and say "what the hell, people aren't looking at my feet" Over to you all, my wise men and women of sewing. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: MaryW
Date: 10-12-2006, 05:11 PM (2 of 8)
You have to wash and dry linen a couple of times, some say 3 before cutting out. Maybe capris could come out of it all. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: kmccrea
Date: 10-12-2006, 09:13 PM (3 of 8)
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The only time I use hot water in the washing machine is when I am preshrinking fabric! I preshrink linen and cotton in the hottest possible water and on the hottest setting in the dryer. When I have completed the preshrinking cycle on linen I look at the weave to see how close it is and give the fabric a gentle tug along the grain line. If it has any give (pulls or stretches) then I put it through again. If you don't want capris and you have some fabric left, cut two strips twice the width of where you want the pants to fall plus seam allowances and a little longer than your pant leg and attach it like binding. Then you can "camoflage" the seam with either decorative stitching in matching thread or paint some cute motifs along the seam and extending into the bottom of your gament. Make sure you protect the underside with paper or cardboard so your work does not seep through! Katherine McCrea
Designer At Large |
User: kmccrea
Member since: 05-07-2006 Total posts: 173 
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From: Sancin
Date: 10-12-2006, 09:45 PM (4 of 8)
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Thanks for this info. I did not know about the 3 times washing, Mary, but does make sense with my experience. Katherine - I have used this technique in the past, but I have a pair of linen RTW where the shrinkage was too much to use this technique. Fortunately I consider linen a summer fabric (where I live) and I refer to them as cut off pants, but I am not really comfortable with them. In fact I am really ticked off as they are an unusual colour and it took me forever to find a top to wear with them! 
*~*~*~* 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: Magot
Date: 10-13-2006, 01:02 AM (5 of 8)
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The capris is a brilliant idea - I never thought of that! So three times washing for linen - I'll remember that. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-13-2006, 08:36 AM (6 of 8)
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I've never had linen shrink after prewashing it but I only wash in cold water. I love linen -- year round because I like light weight clothes even in the winter. But I find a bit of a blend -- poly especially but even rayon or cotton -- makes it behave a little more. Less wrinkles and better wear. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lsoutherla
Date: 10-16-2006, 03:40 PM (7 of 8)
I've just ready the linen thread. I will shortly be making a pastoral robe out of white linen. I haven't made anything out of linen before, so a couple of questions, please. I know to wash it several times in hot water and dry it hot (correct?) and as suggested pull on the grain for give and rewash if necessary. I know that I'll need a "heavier" linen - not a lightweight linen. Questions, then: Is there an online site you'd suggest for purchasing linen at this time of year? Oh, heavens, I can't remember my other question  (it seemed important)! If there is anything you (anyone) think I should know about linen, please let me know, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
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User: lsoutherla
Member since: 05-04-2006 Total posts: 72 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-17-2006, 09:49 AM (8 of 8)
www.fabrics-store.com All colors, all weights and lots of variety. Not affiliated in any way. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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