The linen...is scratching me!

[Naween]

I've created a wicked pattern to use for a chemise, but apparently I picked a linen-poly blend that, when sewn, its seams are itching me just enough to be uncomfortable. Therefore the question is do I scrap the whole days' work and go buy a cotton broadcloth in a slightly off-perfect color that I know won't scratch, or is there any chance that after I finish this chemise and wash it, it will soften slightly and not itch. Its really only itching me at the seams, and I dont want to try to line it....


Any help?

[Kate XXXXXX]

Finish and give it a good wash before deciding.  If it works, you saved yourself extra work...

[sealion]

If it's really linen washing it will soften it up but it will shrink if you didn't wash it before you cut it. If it's some kind of "linen look" or "linen weave" polyester blend washing it won't help. Crossing my fingers for you!

[Naween]

It's a 50/50 blend of actual linen, and polyester. I think the main threads (forget if those are the weft or the other ones) are the polyester, and the majority of fabric is linen. It sure frays unlike polyester, with tiny little fibres breaking off....so largely sure its mostly linen, despite never working with the stuff before.

Yeah, I didn't preshrink it...I never do, and if it shrinks it'll still fit, so not too worried about that.


Going to MNRF this coming weekend......really hope its comfortable after the wash, I'm running out of time to make a new one!

[operafantomet]

In earlier days trusted servants often wore the new chemises and shirts belonging to their masters when new. This because new linen fabrics have excessive, scratching fibres that slowly disappears when washed and worn, and it takes time. (I just read this in a book about linen, hemp and silk, and I found it both interesting and a bit logical).

So... moral is... put your scratching linen garb on a family member for a while ( ) or wash it a lot. It SHOULD help - though I'm not a 100% because it's a linen/poly blend.

[verymerryseamstress]

Trying to think of a solution if the washing doesn't help:  perhaps you could encase the scratchy seams in some bias tape(?)

[Taffy Saltwater]

Maybe french seam it?

[Lady Anne Clare]

Trying to think of a solution if the washing doesn't help:  perhaps you could encase the scratchy seams in some bias tape(?)

This is what I was going to suggest too.  Or lay the seam flat and sew a strip over it encasing the seam in the strip "channel" The only problem with that is, that you'll then have stitch lines on either side of your seam line on the outside.  But you could always make the stitching a decorative one