As different fabrics require different care instructions, such as the way it needs to be washed (dry cleaning or hand washing) or the way it needs to be hung - we look into the different fabrics and the way they should be cared for.
Melissa from d’Italia gives advice on how to care for your fabrics – covering different kinds of fabrics such as silk satins, wool, jerseys, wools, silk and linen blends, cashmere and silk chiffon.
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Silk satins
Silk satins should always be hand washed or dry cleaned - preferably dry cleaned if you can. If you’re going to make it into a garment, first think about how you want to clean it, and afterwards, clean it the way you want to once you’ve finished. For instance if you’re going to make a dress, you either choose if you want to hand wash it or dry clean it. Once you’ve made the decision, for example dry cleaning - make the dress, and from that point on, you will always dry clean it. Another thing with silk satins is, if it’s just sitting in a pile at home, fold it up neatly but don’t leave it in direct sunlight as it will eventually fade. Do not keep it in plastic. Try and aerate it if you do. The plastic tends to make the fibre yellow which you definitely don’t want in silk satin or any other fabric. The other thing with silks is that you can always steam them out when you’re having a shower. Don’t put it in the shower of course, but hang it in the bathroom. Whilst you’re taking a shower, let the steam get into it and all the creases will come out. This also goes the same for any garments that are already made.
Jerseys
Jerseys have an elasticity in them. If it is hung, you don’t want it to really hang as the weight of it will stretch and pull it down. You’ll eventually lose the shape of your garment. This is the same for jersey fabrics. If it’s not being made and it’s just lying around, don’t hang it as it will stretch. Once you make something out of it, it will just be misshaped - especially if it’s patterned, since you won’t get the same patterned effect. For jersey fabrics, it is best to fold it neatly and fold it away. Do the same for garments, fold it and put it away neatly.
Wools
Wools are another fibre that you really need to take care of. For wools, make sure that you do have moth balls. Also, do the same thing with silks - either decide if you’re going to hand wash it or dry clean it.
Silk and Linen Blend
Now this is a great unique fabric that you won’t find it most places. This is what you call a silk and linen limpede. The great thing about it with most silks, you either need to dry clean or hand wash. This one, you can just throw it in the machine and no worries. It’s great for travelling as well as great for your everyday work wear. It’s the best thing for trousers and jackets. If you get it dirty, just throw it in the machine and it’ll look like it’s brand new again.
Everyone’s a bit scared of linen because it creases. The good thing with silk in the linen is that it won’t crease as much. It does iron and it’s washable as well. So come in to d’Italia to get this beautiful silk and linen limpede.
Cashmere
Beautiful cashemeres, just like the wool jersey are very delicate. We have a great variety of wools in store. If you’re going to make something out of this beautiful wool, you definitely want to take care of it. If you take care of it you’ll have it for years to come and you might as well invest in it. So, do not hang it with a wooden hanger. It’s best to hang cashmere garments with a nice padded edge, so that you’ll get this nice fold and it will not indent the wool itself. The padded hanger will give it a nice shape and it will drape beautifully. Again, keep some moth balls around as you do not want them eating into your nice beautiful cashmere.
Silk Chiffon
Silk chiffons are very delicate. You’ll want to do the same thing with the silk satin – choose whether you want it hand washed or dry cleaned before making the garment. Take care of it if you’re not going to make anything. Fold it nice and neatly in a dark corner and don’t let the sun get to it.