How should I preshrink this unknown suiting fabric?

Question

I don't know what the content of the fabric is. It's a fairly inexpensive black suiting fabric. I'm using it for a tuxedo. I doubt that it's dryclean only fabric, but once the tux is assembled, the only way it will ever be washed is at the drycleaners.

I read that it's good to preshrink a fabric even if the final product will be dryclean only, because steam ironing with slightly shrink the fabric pieces. I'll be using fusible interfacing, so I'll be ironing a lot.

Should I steam iron the entire piece of fabric as a preshrinking method?

I don't really want to wash and dry it, just incase it's dryclean only (which I doubt, but I just want to be safe).

Answer 1

You could cut a small piece and wash and dry it.  If it is washable, wash it to preshrink.  If you steam it, it might not shrink all the way the first time, so if you steam after it is made it might shrink again.

Answer 2

Yes, you can iron the whole piece with steam. You can also take it to the cleaners - tell them you want to preshrink the fabric and you 'd like to get it cleaned and steam-pressed.

Or, in a pinch, you can thoroughly mist both sides of the fabric with water and toss it in the dryer at medium heat for 10 minutes or so (may not be quite as even as other methods).

Good luck.