| Most irons today have written right on them the type of
fabric and what the heat setting should be. ALWAYS TEST a scrap piece of
fabric BEFORE you press your garment or project pieces. You can set your
iron to a lower temp if you are feel the heat is too hot for your fabric.
Here are some suggestions on heat settings for different fabrics.
Cotton - This is probably the
easiest fabric to press and usually has no problems. You can use a
dry iron or steam. Cotton fabrics usually use a hot/high
temperature. Be careful with cotton blends, which are cotton fabric
blended with another type of fabric. Most times you will have to use a
lower temp for blends.
Fabrics with a Nap - You must
be careful pressing fabrics with a nap. Press on the wrong side (or
ugly side) when ever possible. If you must press on the right side
(or pretty side) use a piece of the same fabric with the nap. Have the nap
sides together while pressing. This will help keep the "nap" on your
project. When I work with napped fabric I make my self a 10"x10" pressing
cloth from the scraps of my napped fabric.
Silks - Silk fabric should
always be pressed with a dry iron, do not use steam.
Wool - Use plenty of steam
when sewing with wool. Wool is easily shaped when using steam. You
can also use a damp cloth to press over the wool.
Linen - Most linen fabric
today has a nice shine to it. You will want to press on the wrong
side so that the "shine" does not go away.
Blended Fabric - (fabrics with 2 or
more different kinds of fibers) Always use the iron setting for
the fiber which has the lowest temperature. |
