How do I care for Jersey Knit Dresses?

Bianca

Ladies,

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Just went dress shopping and naturally gravitated towards a Jersey Knit dress. They are flattering, even when you have a few extra pounds on. They wear great! I have owned Jersey knit dresses in the past. Am I imagining things, or do these dresses stretch out on the hanger? Is there a proper way to store them when you aren't wearing them? I just feel like they somehow expand. Tell me if I'm being crazy....

11 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Gigi

gryffin

Veteran

Bianca - I have the James Perse sweatshirt dress. I hung it on the hanger and it went from 33" which was perfect to 40" which is not. I now know to fold them on shelves. Of course, hum was it unefemme.net? I'll try and find it bug someone showed how to hang sweaters on hangers withouut getting shoulder bumps and stretch (but that seemed like ever more work) If I find it I will add it to the thread. I also do dry clean most things although you must read the care labels, some manufacturers, I think Eileen Fisher is one, who really makes sure their knits are machine friendly. I hope that helps, but my vote is fold!!

11 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Depends on the weight. The heavier, drapier ones are likely to stretch so I'd fold them up, but the lighter weight ones (like tee shirt material) are fine on a hanger. If it's washable it may pop back to the right length after you wash it. (If it's not machine dryable, though, make sure you dry it FLAT. Drying it on a hanger will stretch it out more than anything else.)

11 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

I always fold knits and store them in a drawer or on a shelf. Like Gryffin, I've had knit items "grow" when hung on a hanger. When I wash a knit, I try to dry it flat, and frequently block it. This is extra work, but can help retain the original shape.

11 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Bianca - I'm not sure this is the exact site but this is what I meant. Hope this helps!! http://ihavetriedit.wordpress......a-sweater/

11 years ago

Bianca

Veteran

Ok Ladies, thank you so much. I think I'm going to have to fold. Seriously, I feel my dresses grew! Not cool! I spent good money on them, need to take care of them properly!

11 years ago

heidiim2

Active Member

Just to reiterate what everyone else has said, I'd definitely fold them. I thought the washing machine was stretching my jersey dress before someone told me it was the hanger

11 years ago

Bianca

Veteran

Agreed Heidiim2! Thought it was just me!

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

If you're going to fold them (which is what I would do too), if you're concerned about wrinkles, I think there's a way to fold them by incorporating tissue paper or an old plastic bag from the grocery store. I'm sure it wouldn't make the garment winkle free, but maybe it would help. I haven't done it myself but had a friend who did it. I'm sure if you googled it, you could find some info.

11 years ago

Bianca

Veteran

Gigi, I remember storing my old prom dress all those years ago with tissuepaper in bewteen the folds. (my mom also made me put it in a box) It did help with the wrinkles. I did try to google Jersey knit dresses, but not much came up. Figured I would come to the best source, with ladies who know!!!

11 years ago

Kiwibird

Active Member

I store my jersey knits folded, with tissue paper between the folds. When I know I'm going to wear them the next day I unfold them and lay them over the back of the couch (it's not against the wall) so if there are any wrinkles they nearly always drop out. I also wash them by hand and lay them flat to dry - and block them.

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I'm glad to know my memory didn't fail me about using the tissue paper...I found out about it when I went through the clothes of a deceased friend. I'd never seen it before and just assumed it was for helping with wrinkling. And I was a little unclear in my post, Bianca--when I mentioned googling, I was thinking of googling how to use the tissue paper in folding, not to google the dress type per se. I am like you too and usually just go straight to the forum rather than comb the web getting information from who knows where! :^)

11 years ago

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