I have no answer for you as I have never made anything that needs dry cleaning and I also steer clear of any ready made clothing that requires it. BUT...I wanted to say how very lovely that fabric is! What are you going to make with it? I bet it's very soft...yum!

MeMo

MeMo - I'm going to make the Mandarin Jacket that loads on the same page. I've been eyeing that particular pattern for a while, and when I saw that it was half price if you bought some fabric too, they got me :-)

I also tend to stay away from dry clean only fabrics - now that I no longer work outside my home I really hardly ever wear anything but jeans and teeshirts, but my stepdaughter is getting married this summer, and I've been on the lookout for something to wear.

So I'm going to bite the bullet and make the jacket - haven't decided yet if I'll do pants or a skirt to go with it. I'm more comfortable in pants, but it is a wedding, and for that reason alone I think a skirt might be more appropriate. In any event, I think I'll do the bottom piece out of white linen.

Thanks for the interest - that's a great site if you're looking for inspiration, by the way. They sponsor what they call a SWAP (sewing with a plan) contest every year, and the entrants' photos for the last year or two are posted. It makes me feel kind of out of my league, but inspirational, nonetheless :-)

Anyway - this is new territory, and if anybody else has some advice about dry cleaning before cutting, I'd appreciate the help.

Becky
Lompoc, CA

Since this fabric say "Dry Cleaning Recommended" It doesn't say dry clean only, I would suggest that you cut off a little piece and wash it in cold water and see what happens. Colleen

I don't see the point of having it dry cleaned first, since the cleaners use as chemicals and not water to clean it. I only pre-wash fabric that is made from cotton or rayon, becasue I know they will shrink. If you are going to have it dry cleaned anyway why bother. Personally, I think it would be a waste of money.

I like the idea of doing a dunk test to see if you can steam press or have to dry press the fabric when sewing. Then while you have that swatch, test for the best interfacing to use, and then do a test stitch for length and width.