Cotton / Linen Blend

[Orphena]

So this summer I made m'lord and I each a new shirt / chemise out of a cotton linen blend – 50% / 50%. I have in the past used 100% cotton, and we each have a shirt out of a 100% linen, which I think is more of a medium weight (It is NOT see through). We have each worn our new 50/50 shirt once, and I like the heft of the fabric – the sleeves poof more – but we found it odd that while the fabric did seem to wick moisture away from our skin, it felt.. remarkably different than our 100% cotton shirts, and our 100% linen shirt. I'm not saying bad, just different – it was a hot day, and I hope to wear it again before making a definite yea or nay.

Both cotton and linen are supposed to be wonderful for wearing in hot weather – could it be that the blended fabric acts differently?  Anyone else have an experience like this?

[DonaCatalina]

I have made many garments out of linen blends.
Cotton/linen tends to act like cotton. Its usually more affordable than 100% linen and does not tend to ravel as easily as 100% linen.

[Ms Trish]

I have a a nice tissue linen that feels like air. The 60/40 linen/cotton fabric washed nicely and hangs like muslin. The rayon/linen is hotter than a plastic bag.

I'm a little surprised that a rayon/linen would be so hot. Not that I've worn one, but they feel so light! Good to know.

[DonaCatalina]

Rayon is made from chemically processed tree fiber. After you wash it about 1000 times, the chemicals loosen their grip and it begins to breathe a little.

[operafantomet]

I've never had issues with rayon. That is, for mundane clothing. I find it very comfortable. But there might be different qualities acting differently, just like other fibers.

[captmarga]

If in doubt when shopping for fabric, do the breathe test (best not wear lipstick...).  Hold it up to your mouth, and try to breathe through it.  If you can't, it doesn't, and you will get the plastic bag effect.

Linen wrinkles (esp Irish Linen) and is heavy, but the cotton blends usually work fine!

Marga

[Cilean]

It is funny you mention this, I always when I was in the Faires using cotton, because that was what I had been taught, then I became a huge convert for Linen when I made Smocks for myself and Camicas, then Shirts for my Men.  Later when the Teen years would change my sons so much I tried the cotton/linen blend and they seemed to like it but stated something similar to what you said, it just felt weird not bad but different from the linen and the cotton.  I wonder if the wicking was fighting with the swampy and you ended up kind of damp but still feeling good?

LOL 
Cilean

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I find that using a Linen/Cotton blend behaves better. Especially for Shirts and Chemises.
In warm weather, comfrt is key.

Linen wrinkles way too much. Which is why I work with it so little.

[Kate XXXXXX]

The only bit of linen you need to iron is the ruff or collar.  Linen wrinkles less if you just hang it or tumble it dry and hang or fold it well smoothed out.  It also stays softer and more comfortable.

[Cilean]

Kate! You read my mind!!!

Firstly? Never put my Linen creations in the dryer!  I do a 2nd spin cycle and then hang them and they come out with little wrinkling.  However? Of course life has had me have to place these in a drier but I only allow them to when they are just damp, and then hang.   If you take them out of the dryer when they are done and still warm? If you hang them they will get be less wrinkled, but a light iron ( I know I love to iron it reminds me of my Grandmother, who taught me to do so) and folding, will make them awesome for when you are ready to use them!

If you live in the heat, and have issues like I do? Try the linen, and I think it will convert you as well,  I really like the Linen/Cotton I picked up from Jo-Ann's and I like how the white got clean after it was on my 13 year old for a day.  It was more tea colored when he got done with it!!


Cilean

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Before I even consider making a Shirt or Chemise from Linen or a Linen/Cotton Blend, I pre-wash and dry it in the dryer.

Then afterwards, wash in a  Gentle Cycle and Hang Dry.

[isabelladangelo]

With my linen and linen/cotton chemises, I throw them in the washer and then the dryer on the gentle cycle.  Even the one that is hand sewn with linen thread -which does incredibly well in the dryer.

[gem]

Machine washing AND drying will make linen softer and less wrinkle-prone (although I still iron mine). I was taught by former forum member Baroness Doune, and I still follow her pre-treating advice: I wash all my linen (regardless of the color or blend) on hot, then dry it on hot, at least THREE times, before I ever get my scissors near it. Linen has "progressive shrinkage," which means it will continue to shrink, so getting as much of that out of its system first is really important.

My Much Ado skirt is made from linen/cotton blend, and I honestly didn't notice anything "weird" when I was wearing it. I'd say it looks, feels, drapes, and behaves more like linen than cotton, but it's lighter in weight than 100% linen of the same type (bottom weight or whatnot).

[DonaCatalina]

I'll third or fourth this, or whatever, prewash and dry any fabric before you cut it. Most especially this applies to linens, but any fabric with a high shrinkage factor.

[captmarga]

I'll third or fourth this, or whatever, prewash and dry any fabric before you cut it. Most especially this applies to linens, but any fabric with a high shrinkage factor.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS... including velvet, satin, silk, etc, etc etc.  If you prewash and dry (and thus get sizing and let the fabric shrink) your finished garment will be washable.   Dry-clean only fabrics CAN be washed!

The reason you can only dry-clean finished products marked so is that they were no pre-washed, would shrink, and the garment would not fit. 

Allow for shrinkage when you purchase yardage, prewash, dry it, shrink away (fix dyes, etc) and Go For it! 

Jofranka's skirts have yards and yards of heavy pure Irish Linen... heaven help when they are wet!

Marga