(no subject)

[llyrafantasyfae]

I received the polished cotton in the mail today. I was told and then I read in several places that this was the stuff to use for lining. It'll be the first time I've used it though. So... Stupid question, can I wash it? I ask because I just learned last year I couldn't wash taffeta, without it becoming something else. Is this the same way or should I be okay.
I'm also procrastinating. Math homework took me until 7:30 and fried almost all my brain cells. So now I have no desire to transfer the patterns over, even though I really really should.

Comments

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

The answer is it depends. Some polished cotton has a surface glaze that will be washed away, cut a small swatch and throw it in with your regular laundry and see how it comes out.

[ktlovely.livejournal.com]

What bauhausfrau said. I mean, you *can* wash it--but it might in some cases change the hand/finish. Usually with historic costumes the only reason to throw something in the wash is some catastrophic dirt accident.

Generally your armpits and other potential stink-traps should be protected with chemises or shifts, and very little else touches your skin through all those underthings. So the only real issue would be is if the outside got somehow dirty in a way that can't be spot washed or brushed off. You could also look into dry cleaning--I've done that for my taffeta Civil War clothes, some of which are lined with polished cotton. I didn't notice a difference in the finish after a trip to the dry cleaner. They did, however, totally smash and destroy the antique cut glass buttons I had on the dress, so beware of stuff like that!

[llyrafantasyfae.livejournal.com]

I started doing research last night when I couldn't sleep and was starting to draw that conclusion. Boo! Certain fabrics make me break out in a rash because of whatever they finish it with. But after its washes I am good. Lets hope this is one I don't or it washes no ely

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's best to remove any buttons that aren't indestructible plastic before washing or cleaning. :(

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

Victorian polished cotton, used for linings, was made mechanically - the fabric was literally polished with heated rollers to get the shiny look. That didn't wash out. Modern polished cotton has a chemical finish on it to get the same look, but it often will wash off. I wouldn't wash it, because you shouldn't be washing the wool fashion fabric anyway; wear the proper undies, spot clean/treat as necessary, and maybe dry clean.

[llyrafantasyfae.livejournal.com]

Washes nicely....

[llyrafantasyfae.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info. I love facts like that.
Confession: I do wash my wool, I wash everything. Except taffeta but I've made only two things with it. It's like Russian roulette but I often times break out in rashes from fabrics. But after a wash they are good. I think it's a finish thats been used. With my wools I wash on delicate or in a tub and hang/lay flat to dry. It maybe the wrong thing to do but I do.

[llyrafantasyfae.livejournal.com]

I do understand that a chemise is suppose to protect the garment but I overheat easily and have soaked through my chemise. Is this a point where the lining would be taken out and replaced? If I had soaked through and the polished cotton was no longer polished cotton?

[sewaddicted.livejournal.com]

yeah, I wash everything too. I've got chemical sensitivities (& many modern fabrics are treated as part of production) and I overheat. I usually hand-wash wool, and I've already pre-shrunk it the same way. If it can't survive that then it won't work for me

[ktlovely.livejournal.com]

I definitely hear you on soaking through! So much of what I do is outdoors in the height of summer...and I sweat a lot. Fortunately for modern use, we have things like Febreeze if smell becomes an issue. I don't think I've ever soaked through a polished cotton lining to the point where the chemical finish actually washed away; usually for me it's just a noticeable dampness in particular areas after I take the garment off--if you're not actually putting it through the spin cycle where the garment gets soaked and then everything is rinsed away, you may not damage the finish. So like with sweating or spot washing/damp cloth, you might be able to leave the finish intact just fine (but that probably depends on how the finish was applied, and how hardy it is.)

Historically speaking, if we're talking about Victorian stuff where often the lining and fashion layers were sewn as one, then I don't know that you'd necessarily remove the lining. Same goes for some 18th century stuff depending on the garment and how it's constructed. I think it's more likely that you would just gently handwash the area affected rather than rip out the whole lining. And frankly, unless it's staining on the outside or smells funny, I'd probably just let it dry and go with it. Bacteria and moisture is what creates a smell, so if you dry everything out and keep it relatively clean you don't end up with an issue mostly.

[ktlovely.livejournal.com]

I also wash my wool. Warm temp, gentle cycle in the machine. Have never had an issue. On the other hand I've also discovered that I VERY rarely have to wash a wool garment...I pre-washed the wool because I was worried about shrinkage, but the wool doesn't hang onto dirt or anything, so I've had no reason to wash it after making it into clothes! If washing it once takes allergens out of it, then that might be all you ever need to do to it.

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

Oh sure, that's fine! I mean after the fact. I wouldn't wash it after it's made up, because wool usually continues to shrink. And that's why I wouldn't pre-wash the cotton for fear of shrinkage, because the *finished* garment wouldn't be washed anyway.

[trinnyt.livejournal.com]

Agree it depends on the polished cotton that you have. I bought some off a seller on ebay, made my blue titanic dress out of it - preshrank it, and it's been washed since, it's still good.. :)

For the sweating through (something a Victorian reenactor in Australia DEFINITELY has to consider!), you could make dress shields that you can tack into your lining under the arms if that's your main area of concern? It's completely accurate as well. :)