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Caring For Crepe de Chine
Crepe de Chine has a soft, graceful drape that falls into limp, soft ripples and flares. It can be gathered, tucked, or shirred. It may be pleated. Use a very fine, sharp needle with no nicks or burrs to avoid snags. CDC tends to wrinkle, but smoothness is easily restored with a warm iron. Use to make semi-fitted, loose-fitting or very loose-fitting styles of blouses, shirts, lightweight dresses, and lingerie. Drycleaning is strongly recommended.
What to expect with CDC:
- slippery
- difficult to cut out
- is reversible; both sides of fabric look the same
- won't unravel
- creases easily
Wearability:
- fabric is durable and strong
- wears evenly
- subject to snags
- attracts static
- tends to cling
- holds its shape
- tends to wrinkle
Suggested care:
- dryclean only
- dry iron
- may shrink a small amount
- may bleed or fade
Sewing rating (easy to hard): average Suggested clothing fit: semi-fitted, loose-fitting, very loose-fitting Suggested styles: pressed pleats and tucks; 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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