Burda Style For people who sew

I am determined to embark on a stash buster project tomorrow. Top of the list is making V8860 out of a piece of woolly fabric I bought a year ago intending to make a cape, before I realised that all capes do actually look weird on me. I am keen to press on because it will make up a piece of large fabric that is taking up a lot of space, and should be something that won’t take that long to make.

The problem is I am very scared of pressing or steaming this fabric. It was labelled ‘ex Prada stock italian wool’ in the shop. I’m not sure if and of that description is true! There is definitely something not wool mixed in there, as it doesn’t make me itch like pure wool does. It’s sort of a loose weave check, very bobbly and fuzzy, so the fabric is thick but not dense. I have a feeling that heat will upset it. Any tips on whether I should steam it or leave it alone to treat it? And is there any way of pressing it on a very low heat?

Thanks!

Nov 17, 2012, 10.06 PM by janelee1984

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  Nov 18, 2012, 10.59 PMby arisaid

  Press very gently using a low amount of steam through a pressing cloth. Try on a scrap first though!
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  Nov 19, 2012, 08.41 AMby katexxxxxx

  Try a burn test on a few threads to determine the amount of wool, and press with a damp cloth rather than a steam iron, unless you have a steam generator with a presurised boiler. And yes, however you press it, use a cotton pressing cloth.
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  Dec 3, 2012, 07.34 PMby janelee1984

  Hi guys. Thanks for your help. It was indeed wool. I steamed it into submission. Nothing bad happened, if anything it made it springier and nicer. Below is the finished item http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/sixties-muppet-coat?image=300983
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  Dec 4, 2012, 09.00 AMby katexxxxxx

  That’s cute! And looks lovely and warm.
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  Dec 13, 2012, 04.52 AMby purplefan

  Love your description of the coat. That robin’s egg blue lining is a great hit of colour!