I have an all cotton skirt that shrunk in the wash. The length now looks awful. Does anyone have advice for stretching it out in length? Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Mom23boys from Queens, NY
What I've done in the past (both with skirts and tops), is to wet the piece and then stretch it gently. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
A t-shirt can be placed on a hanger and then the bottom hem pulled down gently, for a skirt it's easiest to hold both the waist and hem and pull in opposite directions.
Good luck. (07/02/2007)
By Carole
Have you tried ironing it wet? (07/06/2007)
By natasha
Depends how much it shrank. If just an inch or less, wetting it, stretching it gently, but firmly to the length you want and letting it dry flat should help. If more than an inch, adding a matching or coordinating panel to the hem should work. Be sure to prewash whatever fabric you are using to add length especially if it 100% cotton like the skirt. If you manage to rescue it, wash in cold and hang to dry in future, just in case it wants to shrink again. (07/09/2007)
By Mary Lou
Wetting it and stretching is good, also you can iron it and stretch as you go. I've done that many times. Best thing is to let it hang to dry and not put it in the dryer. (07/09/2007)
By Noella
Get it good and wet, use cold water. Then firmly grab hold of the waistband and shake it until it is the length you desire. This works quite well with cotton knit, not as effective on regular cotton fabrics. Let it drip dry on the clothes rack or clothes line. Good luck. (07/09/2007)
By MDM IN WA
If you need to stretch the legs on a pair of cotton slacks or jeans, or need to stretch the sleeves on a cotton shirt, affix "clamping hangers", the kind that hang a pair of trousers upside down to keep its crease to the cuffs of the slacks or to the cuffs of shirt immediately after washing.
Next, hang the garment up on strong hook you've screwed into the arch of a door frame or into a ceiling beam in the basement so that the garment will hang freely. Next, take two 3/4-full, quart-sized cans of paint (use a full gallon for jeans) and hook their handles onto the hooks of the clamping hangers. As the garment dries, the constant weight of the paint cans will stretch out the pant legs or the sleeves. You can add 1 1/2 to 2 inches in length. (05/17/2008)
By Steven
Run the item under cold water in the tub. Step into the tub, be sure you aren't wearing any undergarments that can't get wet, or that might run. Put the item on. This works well for cotton. Your body heat will help to stretch it back out. This works very well for skirts or dresses that zip up, although it may take a few minutes until it stretches enough. Wear the item for approximately 5 minutes (max), then take it off and let it hang dry. If it re-shrinks a little upon air drying, just repeat the process. (06/23/2008)
By guest
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