How To Prevent Fabrics From Shrinkage

We have received a good question from MARILYN HAYWARD today, which, we believe, is worth of posting here together with our answer:

Question:

I am considering buying a super-king duvet cover and pillowcases from
you as a gift for my daughter. She does not line dry her washing. Would the
linen shrink back too much if completely tumble dried?

Answer:

I personally tumble dry my pure linen bedding sheets until they are 100% dry. I have not noticed any significant shrinkage. Some years ago I went to
the dry cleaners’ seminar which was held by the producer of fabric dyes. All attendants had the same question – how to dye fabrics without any shrinkage? The manufacturer
taught us then, that any fabric shrinks when, after being washed in hot water, it gets
rinsed with the cold water – by changing temperatures so dramatically the fabric gets a temperature shock and shrinks. Therefore, the trick for keeping your linens in their original size is not to wash them in the temperature higher than 30-40C. If, for some reasons, you have to wash them in a hot water (i.e. to get rid of some stains), then let
them cool down before rinsing (or rinse with the use of hot water). The same applies to wools as well.

Win a Set of Eight Damask Linen Napkins VERNISSAGE

Finest pure linen damask napkins in milky white colour with ornamented border in natural shades, perfect for special occasions. Size 56x56cm. Worth £79.

These super-quality linen napkins have been weaved at one of the oldest Russian factories, which was supplying table linens to the Russian Royal Court in the 19c.

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A great chance to enhance your dining table with these high quality napkins out of range of pure linen home accessories.

Or they could be a great Christmas gift for your mum!

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Damask or jacquard is a figured linen fabric in which warp-satin and weft-sateen create a pattern. Such patterns are visible even in an all white cloth, woven from all white yarns. This process requires threads to be woven in contrasting directions, which creates a pattern that is visible when viewed at certain angles. Across large surfaces, damask fabrics are most extraordinary as reflect light and continually reveal new designs to your eye in a subtle and appealing way.

You can also buy these napkins from Alenska website for £9.90 each, as well as matching Vernissage tablecloths and table runners:

Vernissage Tablecloth 130x130cm            £ 69.00

Vernissage Tablecloth 140x170cm            £ 78.00

Vernissage Tablecloth 170x170cm            £ 85.00

Vernissage Table Runner 50x175cm        £ 44.00