Crochet & Fabric Dress - Shrinkage?

[Croshay]

I'm making this dress

 

http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/crochet-and-fabric-dress/index.html

 

and I'm afraid the top/crocheted part in 100% mercerized cotton will shrink a lot - or at least shrink differently from the fabric part at the bottom.

 

Has anyone else had experience with this?

 

Thanks in advance.

[jleinhauser]

I doubt that the crochet thread top will shrink at all; you will need perhaps to block it after each washing which must means pinning it out wet and letting it dry. And you can

pre-shrink the fabric used for the skirt. It's a delightful outfit and should be fun to make.

 

Jean Leinhauser

[Croshay]

And you can pre-shrink the fabric used for the skirt.

 

Great idea...I would have never thought of that. I'll wash the fabric before putting it together.

 

so much for your input!

[Momcrochets]

definitely wash the fabric before sewing it. They often put what they call sizing into it (mainly so it looks good on the bolt)...and if it does shrink it will shrink MOST the first time, and not much at all after that. And then if the fabric shrinks unevenly, that won't affect the pieces you cut.

 

I've never had a problem with cotton thread shrinking (maybe it's pre-shrunk) but then, I tend to wash my hand-mades in cool, and on delicate, so...

HTH