Removing creases from fabric

mlb807

Can anyone tell me the best way to remove creases from fabric.  I have wasted so much money buying fabric online to have it mailed to me folded and then Im not able to use it.  Its the same with fabric in kits.  I try to remove the creases but it seems impossible.  I usually end up distorting the fabric trying to iron the creases out even if I dont move the iron back and forth.  Im able to remove the creases somewhat but you can still see where it was folded.  Thank you for your suggestions.  

Kornelia50

Try to hang the fabric and steam just the creases from time to time. Its annoying,  takes a while, but works for me.

RachelBiser

I hang it up in the shower while Im showering.  The steam helps uncrease it.

Countedout

I always wash my fabric first. I hem the edges of the piece on the sewing machine, then wash it - usually by hand.  I roll it into a towel to dry it, and then iron it dry.

This is good if there is any cotton content to the fabric, it gets any shrinkages out of the way, before I put the embroidery onto it.

I never intend to wash my finished piece, I try to work as clean as possible. But sometimes I stitch in front of the telly, and accidents do happen. Especially if a piece takes a couple of years to complete. So if Ive pre-washed before I start a project, and then at the end of it, it needs a wash, Im hopefully covered, at least for fabric shrinkage.  

When a piece of fabric comes badly folded Ive never found anything other than washing/wetting and drying gets the creases fully out. Ive cut corners in the past, ironed the fabric, pulled it taut on the frame, stitched it, and then once its off the frame the crease lines are still there.

LucyLocket

Ive always found modern linen to be a problem when getting out the folds, so, as I usually have to buy it online, I try not to buy it or work on it any more........... I had some really old linen of my mothers that I stitched and it was lovely. Although in a cupboard for many years the creases came out with a hand wash, a flat dry and a steam iron with an ancient heavy 1980s iron... (Unfortunately the iron no longer works!!)

dmcjms

I use a steam iron to press the fabric. Wet the fabric first, then steam it on the cotton or highest setting of the iron.

Another trick is to use a mix of vinegar and water on the fabric, get it really wet, and then iron it. Once its dry, I roll it up and store it in a tube (if you dont have any, use the cardboard tube from an empty paper towel roll). This way the fabric is rolled and not folded.

I store all my fabric rolled up until I use it, or while Im in the process of stitching on it to keep it from creasing. Even after I finish stitching but before I frame a piece, I roll it back up and put it in the empty paper towel tube to protect it and keep it safe.

Mallardduck

If youre not in a hurry: put the flat fabric between two flat surfaces (really flat, and they have to cover the fabric completely), put some weight on it (if you still have books, but magazines works too) and forget about it for months. No creases in sight and they dont come back either.

dmcjms

dmcjms 2015-3-22 20:29
I use a steam iron to press the fabric. Wet the fabric first, then steam it on the cotton or highest ...

No, but I always use aida, never linen or evenweave, so I cant speak about anything other than what I use.

AMW

I always wash my fabrics before sewing. Not really because of creases, though I am glad to be rid of those, but because of any chemical treatment that the fabric might have had. Besides, I know that despite my own best efforts, I am going to crease and probably smudge any project, so that it will need to be cleaned and ironed at the end.

orionjes12

thank you for bringing this topic. now i know what i need to do. thank you.