Checking Fabric for Shrinkage Before Sewing

When you are sewing garments for yourself or for others, it is very important to check the fabric for shrinkage before you start sewing your project. The last thing you want is to invest a lot of time in sewing a beautiful piece of clothing only to have it shrink and distort so it no longer fits the first time you wash it.

Many fabrics that you can buy at the fabric store have already been shrunken, while others have not. When you are buying fabric look for labels that say pre-shrunk or Sanfordized. This indicates that the fabrics have already been shrunken. If you are sewing with fine wool look for wools labeled as "ready for the needle" or sponged. Any of these labels on fabric mean that the fabric will not shrink more than 1 inch per yard.

If you can't find a label on the fabric indicated whether or not it has already been shrunk you can try asking the salesperson at the store since they may know. If there is no label and the salesperson doesn't know it is always best to err on the side of caution and shrink the fabric yourself before starting your sewing project.

Shrinking fabric yourself is a relatively easy process and will help to ensure that your sewing projects hold their shape even after they are washed. Here are some tips on how to pre-shrink fabric.

Using scissors, start by snipping small snips in the selvage on each side of the fabric. If you skip this step then when the fabric shrinks the selvage will bind up. The snips just have to be in the selvage - not into the fabric itself.

To shrink washable fabrics start by placing them in the bathtub and filling the tub with lukewarm water deep enough to cover the fabric. Allow the fabric to soak in the water for about an hour. After an hour take the fabric out of the tub and gently ring as much water out of it as you can. Hang the fabric on a clothesline or over the shower rod to dry it further. When most of the water is out of the fabric but before it is completely dry use your iron to press it dry. Be sure to press on the wrong side of the fabric and try to iron with the grain of the fabric rather than against it.

By taking the time to make sure that your fabrics are pre-shrunk before you begin your sewing projects your clothing will fit beautiful and hold its shape without shrinking or binding. Although it may seem like a hassle, pre-shrinking your fabrics is well worth the effort and will help you get the results that you want with your projects.