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Caring For Charmeuse
Charmeuse has beautiful drape that falls close to the body in soft flares. It can be gathered into a soft fullness. It tends to cling. Choose semi-fitted, loose or very loose, voluminous styles of blouses, dresses, evening wear, nightgowns, and lingerie. It is sometimes used for lining. Use a very fine, sharp needle with no nicks or burrs to reduce snags. Luster may require a "with nap" layout. Drycleaning strongly recommended to avoid scuffs and abrasions.
What to expect with charmeuse:
- slippery but won't unravel
- difficult to cut out
- has a nap
- pins and needs leave holes and marks
- creases easily
Wearability:
- fabric is fragile
- subject to abrasion
- subject to snags
- attracts static
- tends to cling
- tends to wrinkle
- water drops leave spots
Suggested care:
- dryclean only
- press dry fabric
- dry iron
- iron on the wrong side
- use a press cloth
Sewing rating (easy to hard): average Suggested clothing fit: semi-fitted, loose-fitting, or very loose-fitting Suggested styles: soft gathers; elasticized shirring; loose and full; soft and flowing; draped; cut on bias
Silk’s Limitations: Silk is regarded as nature's most perfect fiber, but even perfection has its limitations:
- Soap
and agitation - Silk's smooth surface does not attract dirt and is
easily cleaned, but silk can be damaged by most laundry detergents -
so always dry clean your silk. Silk loses strength when wet, so do not
wring or agitate.
- Bleach - Silk is easily damaged by strong
bleaches that contain sodium hypochlorite.
- Heat and light - Silk is sensitive to heat and begins to decompose at 330 degrees fahrenheit. Use a warm (not hot) iron.
- Mildew and moths - Silk will not mildew except in extreme conditions. Moths don't care for it, but carpet beetles do.
- Perspiration
- Perspiration causes silk to deteriorate and affects the color,
causing staining. Any silk worn next to the skin should be cleaned
frequently.
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