Im going to sew something that is silk-do I wash it first and how do I wash it??

Question

Am I suppose to wash and dry fabric before I make clothes? What if its silk like material??

Answer 1

Silk often requires dry cleaning. You may damage the fabric or ruin the color if you wash it.

To confirm that fabric is washable, cut a small square of fabric (about 3"), stitch the edges so it won't ravel in the wash, and trace its outline onto a piece of paper. Wash it, gentle cycle. Then compare the color to the remaining fabric and the size to the square you traced to see if the color ran or if it shrank. If the washed square is unchanged, then you can stitch the ends of your large piece of fabric to avoid raveling and wash on gentle.

If you know fabric is washable, then yes, wash it before cutting out the pieces and sewing. Silk-like polyester is washable.

Answer 2

you should wash the fabric in the same way you plan on washing the finished article. If you are going to machine wash it, use your machine; if you are going to hand wash, hand wash; if you plan on dry cleaning, have it dry cleaned. Remember to iron it before you start cutting.

When you bought the fabric, there should have been care instructions on the end of the bolt of fabric.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Wash first, on the gentle cycle in a lingerie bag, cold water minimal soap, and short tumble dry short cycle.