I KNOW THESE FABRICS—DO YOU?
New finishes
New finishes make cottons more crease resistant and easier to wash and iron. But finishes sometimes make fabrics harder to sew and press. You will find a finished cotton will make a crisper looking dress and will be worth the extra work it takes to press the seams while you are making it.
Labels
Read the information on the label on the end of the bolt. It will tell you if the fabric is color fast, shrink resistant, crease resistant, and either hand-or-machine washable. A good cotton fabric has all these features.
Examine the fabric
Examine a torn end of the fabric. If the ends and designs are uneven, look for another piece of fabric. An uneven fabric with a finish cannot be straightened and you will not be able to cut your dress on the straight of the grain. Crush the fabric in your hand. Select one that is soft and difficult to wrinkle.
Tours
Plan a shopping tour with your club. Take your mother with you so she can help you select fabrics for your projects.