Non-machine washable fabric prep

[Aunty Lou]

We all seem to take "Dryclean Only" as a loose guideline! (Snicker!)

Drycleaning just leaves the applied finish on the fabric - like a stiffener or a shiny chintz, cleaning them with volatile chemical solutions.  (I have used commercial drycleaning sheets in the dryer to good effect on theater costumes that would otherwise fall to pieces...) 

Generally, pre-washing will take that finish off the fabric, soften and shrink it so it won't shrink much more...  I can tell you firsthand, the incredible shrinking power of wool is not something you want to find out two days before the Madrigals!

Interfacing gives body to what would be otherwise floppy areas, like collars, cuffs, plackets, buttonholes or lacings.  I would use a fabric-type, not a non-woven type, as has been said, of about the same weight and hand as the fashion fabric, and sew them to the facings, then trimmed to the fold.  I have also used a tailor's method of tacking the interfacing all over to the not-seen side of the facing, for even more stability and stiffness...