Decatization IS OBLIGATORY
Decatization is something you can’t see - but if you skip it, you may regret it! What is it? It’s the preparation of the fabric for sewing so that your project doesn’t shrink, deform or waste the die-cut.
Decatization is something you can’t see - but if you skip it, you may regret it! What is it? It’s the preparation of the fabric for sewing so that your project doesn’t shrink, deform or waste the die-cut. You’ll find that decatting is not a fad - it’s the basis of any sewing project.
Why is washing fabric before sewing a must-have for any project?
If you’ve ever sewn a blouse that shrunk one size after the first wash... then this post is for you😉 And if you’ve never decatted fabric before sewing - learn one of the most important secrets of any experienced seamstress. Decatization is not a fad. It’s an absolute must.
What exactly is decathlon?
Decatization (from ’décrasser’ - to clean) is the washing or ironing of fabric before sewing, in order to:
- Get rid of excess chemicals from production,
- check if the fabric dyes,
- prevent the fabric from shrinking after the garment has already been sewn.
It’s like the ’first wash to try’ - before you even grab a tailor’s blank and scissors.
Why is it so important?
🧺 1. fabrics shrink - and sometimes a lot! Cotton, linen, viscose - they can lose up to 10% of their length after the first wash. If you don’t decate the fabric, you run the risk that your perfect garment will be... slightly less perfect after one day of wear.
🧺 2. decatting shows the true face of the fabric - you will see how it behaves - whether it wrinkles, stretches, dyes. This will help you choose the right sewing technique and thread.
🧺 3. makes ironing and cutting easier - the decatted fabric is more ’calm’ - it is easier to iron and cut according to the cut.
How to decatize?
👕 Natural fabrics (cotton, linen, viscose):
- Wash at 30-40°C with mild detergent.
- If you don’t want to wash, you can steam iron through a cotton cloth.
- Dry unfolded - no creases.
👗 Synthetic fabrics:
- Simply steam ironing or gently spraying with water and hanging up.
- Do not put in hot water - they may deform.
🧵 Note: Do not decate knits with elastane - they can stretch. Just gently steam press them from a short distance.
And when is it not necessary to decat?
When you use a fabric that has already been decatted by the manufacturer (this is often the case in professional studios) - but it is worth checking. If you have a shadow of doubt - it is better to decatize.
Decatization is one of those small steps that make a huge difference. Because the joy of sewing isn’t just the process - it’s also the pride in the end result, which won’t change after the first wash. Now - before you grab the die-cut from WearMeUp.Club - throw that cotton in the washing machine. You’ll thank yourself later! 😉
