May 2006 Issue
In this months Issue:
Choosing a Tailor, Part II: Knowing the Right Questions to Ask
Taking Care of Natural Fabrics
What a Pill!
Home Laundry Tip
Choosing a Tailor, Part II: Knowing the Right Questions to Ask
In last month's newsletter, we talked about how to choose a tailor who will best serve your personal wardrobe needs. Now that you've picked a tailor, you need to continue working on the relationship so it will be long, happy and successful. Many people bring clothes in to a tailor and are afraid or unsure.
Explain to the tailor exactly what you want in terms of fit, length and style. Ask lots of questions and don't say "Its okay" unless it truly looks the way you want it to look. Ask the tailor, "Does this fit correctly? What suggestions do you have to make it look better? How much is it going to cost me to alter this item?" Be ready to listen to advice, but also be willing to stick to your guns if you have strong feelings about your likes and dislikes.
The most important tip we can offer about tailoring is to try the item on immediately: either when you get home or at the tailors. The biggest mistake people make is to wait days, weeks or sometimes even months before they try an item on. Be sure RIGHT AWAY that the item is tailored correctly...and if it's not, bring it back to the tailor and explain the problem in a calm, non-confrontational way. Be ready and willing to try the item on and show what the problem is to the tailor.
Most tailors are used to dealing with some customer complaints, but remember to give praise when you're happy with the way an item turned out. If it's an outfit for a special occasion, bring in a picture of yourself in the outfit, write a brief note of thanks or bring in a small, inexpensive gift. Your kindness and consideration will be remembered and may even come in handy if and when you ever need an item to be fixed quickly or you need special attention.
If you continue to experience problems, consider switching to a new tailor. You need to have confidence that your tailor is committed to doing quality work so you look your best!
Taking Care of Natural Fabrics
You're probably sick of manufacturers or products that claim to be all-natural, but when it comes to fabrics, there are only four: linen, cotton, silk and wool. Each requires different care.
Linen is often combined with other fabrics because it wrinkles easily. Plain linen garments can be washed in the machine or can be dry-cleaned; use a hot iron while the garment is slightly damp if youre hoping to achieve that crisp, clean look. Cotton, which includes corduroy, denim and percale (used in sheets), is quite durable and absorbent, but it can wrinkle, too, so it's often combined with other fabrics, too. It's always a good idea to wash cotton items before wearing, because they may shrink somewhat.
Care of silk items can be tricky. If it's a flimsy, lightweight composition, it's likely that it will wrinkle easily, bleed or fade when washed, and may be affected by perfume, perspiration or deodorants. If the silk is of a stiffer, sturdier construction with more threads, you might have better luck. Always carefully follow silk care labels and handle the item gently.
If you've got a wool item, beware! Wool shrinks and mats at high temperatures, so don't dry it in a machine. It's best to dry-clean wool products unless the care label says it's washable, and even then, you should wash only by hand.
What a Pill!
Pilling, those annoying little fabric knots, seem to mysteriously show up on knitted clothing or even on cotton items after you've worn them for a while. Why?
After you've had an item for awhile and its been washed or dry-cleaned several times, the rubbing and abrasion from everyday usage can loosen or break fiber ends. They then can come apart and twist into each other, causing those little bumps or balls. Cotton items that pill may not have the obvious knots, but they may begin to look frayed or faded.
We have several tips for getting rid of them, but one thing we DONT recommend is to use a razor or scissors. In the past, many people relied on this method, but we feel it's far too easy to snag or rip the garment. You can purchase a special fabric comb or even a battery-operated "de-piller" from a drugstore or discount department store.
When you wash items suspectible to pilling, turn them inside out and don't overload the washer or dryer.
Home Laundry Tip
Oh oh, did your pet have an accident? While there may be some pet owners who are convinced their cute little pet did it for spite, the fact remains that you have to clean it up. That's not just because of the mess, but because animals will return to the same spot if they are attracted to it (even if we can't smell or see it!).
One of the easiest ways to clean up pet accidents is to pour lots of club soda on the area and blot (don't rub!) immediately with paper towels. If odor is an issue later on or the next day, cover the area with about one-quarter of an inch of baking soda and let it sit for at least 24 hours, then vacuum.