How to shrink garments?

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

I want to shrink the combination of rayon and cotton without destroying the garment. I don't wish to shrink it a whole lot, just about 2-3 inches. I don't want it to "draw up," but just to shrink the shoulders and bust area.

If you have ever done this, please let me know. I have had the dry cleaners shrink St John (Santana, I think knit) but I am not sure the dry cleaners in this small town would understand that.

coffee drinker · ‎03-21-2010

@Nonametoday My sure fire method to shrink clothes is to leave them on the hanger for one season and when it's time for the next season, try them on and miraculously, they've shrunk. Works every time.

Love my grandkids · ‎11-24-2013

@Nonametoday I honestly don't think it's possible to shrink a garment only in certain areas.

I've sometimes taken jeans that are loose and washed them in hot water cold rinse and dried them on HIGH for an extended period.

I really don't think "spot shrinking" is doable. If you shrink the garment at all, the whole think will shrink.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

Most qvc garments are prshrunk and aren't going to shrink anymore. When something does shrink, there is no way of controlling the amount.

Not a good plan.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

The only way that I know of to make the bust and shoulders smaller is to have the garment altered by a seamstress. Placing a garment in the wash to make it shrink will make the entire thing smaller.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@SilleeMee wrote:

The only way that I know of to make the bust and shoulders smaller is to have the garment altered by a seamstress. Placing a garment in the wash to make it shrink will make the entire thing smaller.

@SilleeMee

It's knit so seamstress will not do it. I have had dry cleaners shrink St John's knit for me when I lived in Atlanta but that is different from a small town. I doubt they know how to do that here.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

I was a professional seamstress in a previous life and anything can be altered if you know how. @Nonametoday

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@SilleeMee wrote:
I was a professional seamstress in a previous life and anything can be altered if you know how. @Nonametoday

@SilleeMee

We only have one shop in town and these ladies probably know how to do a good job but they don't. They are in it for quick fix and make money. I hate to say that but they don't want to cut pants off and hem them. They want to double the cuff up. So that does not bode well for my situation. If my grandmother or mother were living, they could do it. They would pink it and do it.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@coffee drinker wrote:
@Nonametoday My sure fire method to shrink clothes is to leave them on the hanger for one season and when it's time for the next season, try them on and miraculously, they've shrunk. Works every time.

@coffee drinker

That worked very well for me after staying home during covid. All my clothes had shrunk and I blamed it on the dry cleaners. ;-)