Working with Linen

[Genievea Brookstone]

I just recieved my order of Linen from Fabric-Store.com and to be honest I have never worked with linen before and very excited about it.  Is there anything I need to know about this fabric before I dive into my project?  Its is a 5.3oz softened, yardage in black, evergreen and a mixed natural.

Thanks!

[Master James]

I'd wash it in HOT water and dry it on the hottest and longest setting to prevent shrinkage later.  Other than that, just realize that wrinkles are period and with linen that is about all you will get so don't stress over it. 

[bellevivre]

two cents: you might run the colors with vinegar to further set the dyes.

also- many people advise ironing linen before it is worn, but personally, i adore the soft, springy, feel of my linen chemises just out of the dryer... little in the world makes me happier!

[gem]

Linen has progressive shrinkage, so I always wash mine (on hot) and dry (on hot) at least 3 times before cutting it.  One of the bonuses is that linen also becomes softer and less wrinkle-prone the more it's washed.  And even if you don't want to iron your linen garments after washing, you'll need to iron the fabric before working with it, or it'll be a PITA.

Other than that, it is super easy to work with.

[Genievea Brookstone]

Thanks for the advice! First round of hot wash and dry done lol guess I will resist the urge to cut til I wash it the 3 times . Don't need the perfect fit to turn into too small.

[gem]

You are *so* not kidding.  LOL

One of my favorite things about linen is its hard-wearing-ness, the fact that it *is* machine washable/dryable; but if you're never ever going to put your garment in the dryer ever again*, you're probably OK with one run-through.  I only did the linen for my pink corset once, because I wasn't crazy about how the washing changed the hand (it was crisp and shiny, like chintz, before I washed it, and soft and nubby after, and I didn't want it to get *more* that way).  Figured I wasn't going to throw a corset into the dryer too many times...

*But... steaming in the dryer works fantastic on linens, so I wouldn't want to preclude myself from doing this.

[Genievea Brookstone]

Right, one garment is going to be a chemise which no doubt will get washed and worn more times so the softer the better but there is also going to be an  over thing lol not really sure what you want to call it which will probably not get washed as much because of the embellishments and such.

This what I am going to make. View A but not so big sleeves.  I made big sleeves like this on my avatar picture and they were more of a hassle trying to keep them out of the way so I am going to shorten and tighten them up a bit more.  The chemise is going to be the green and the over thingy in black.   The trimmings I have a pretty good idea of what I want, just haven't ordered it yet.  I want to make sure this is actually going to work the way I want it to before I invest more money into it.

[gem]

Oh, that is going to look *smashing!*  Have you seen the beautiful black and green linen ensembles at Armstreet?  They used to have one that was a green chemise with a black tunic over it, and it was absolutely delicious.

[Auryn]

Genieva, we have very similar taste because I am planning on making that ensemble also- prob not till later in the year though.
Keep us posted on the progress, that color combination sounds smashing.

[Genievea Brookstone]

Oh, that is going to look *smashing!*  Have you seen the beautiful black and green linen ensembles at Armstreet?  They used to have one that was a green chemise with a black tunic over it, and it was absolutely delicious.

I had gotten the pattern a while back and didnt know what to do with it.  So one day while surfing around I came across that dress and was inspired!  I loved it and knew the pattern could be tweeked enough to get a simular feel and shape. Inspiration!

Auryn~  I love the fantasy garb and am drawn to it.  I will be posting in the 2010 thread the progress.  I have already put down the grey fitted gown to work on this one hehehe.  (plus not liking the fitted look on my chubbies at the moment lol)

[Sitara]

That's the dress I am going to make for my wedding.  Also in green and black, probably gonna make it reversible too.  I would love to see pictures of this completed as I have only seen the envelope.