Just heard a designer say they never test their fabrics for shrinkage

Honestly, I was at a small craft fair in Austin last weekend and this person was talking about their new line. They said, and I quote, 'I just buy the fabric and cut, testing is for big companies with time to waste.' Ngl, that made me stop and think. I've seen what happens when a beautiful linen piece shrinks two sizes after one wash, it's a total waste. It's not about being a big company, it's about respecting your own work and the customer's money. A simple pre-wash of a half yard sample takes maybe an hour of your day. If you're selling something for 80 dollars, you owe it to the buyer to make sure it lasts. Has anyone else run into this kind of shortcut thinking, and how do you make sure your pieces hold up?

4 comments

4 Comments

foster.tessa13h ago

Oh wow, that's wild to hear someone say it out loud. I bought a handmade apron once that went from a perfect fit to basically a doll size after I washed it, such a letdown. That "testing is a waste" idea is so backwards, it's the first real step in making something. Skipping it just means you're okay selling people a problem.

felix41412h ago

Totally agree about testing being the first real step. I had a pair of wool socks that felt amazing until they went through the dryer. Now they'd barely fit a toddler. That's not just a letdown, it's a broken promise. Skipping a wash test is like building a house without checking if the floor is solid. You're basically handing someone a future headache and calling it a product.

the_anthony12h ago

It's crazy how that basic step gets skipped... feels like a lack of respect for the buyer's time and money.

moore.beth13h ago

My favorite sweater did the same thing, just shrank right up.