After Care for Shirts

[k_fawver]

This may be a stupid question, but:

After everything is complete and the shirt has been worn, how do you take care of it to keep it looking relatively new?

I made a shirt for my daughter but just wasn't satisfied because the design needed to be a little larger, so I just let her wear it around the house. I've washed it a couple of times (just a couple) and it's REALLY faded. Plus, the transfer is starting to peel! I don't want to put all of this time and energy into these shirts if it's not going to hold up past one or two wearings.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[heartbeeps]

This may be a stupid question, but:

After everything is complete and the shirt has been worn, how do you take care of it to keep it looking relatively new?

I made a shirt for my daughter but just wasn't satisfied because the design needed to be a little larger, so I just let her wear it around the house. I've washed it a couple of times (just a couple) and it's REALLY faded. Plus, the transfer is starting to peel! I don't want to put all of this time and energy into these shirts if it's not going to hold up past one or two wearings.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I've heard that the light transfers fade quicker than the dark. Did you use a light transfer, per chance?

(I've used dark transfers, washed the shirts a couple of times just by turning them inside out and washing in cold water... they look as good as new so far.)

 

[k_fawver]

I used dark transfers. I just can't figure out why it's peeling off...

 

[dogodisney]

I have not made any shirts myself (yet), but by chance did you dry it? I always hang dry things that have any type of iron on decorations just to be safe.

 

[goofydebi]

I have one on right now that I wash and wear all the time because it's red and the red bled through on the white, so it's now a shirt I wear alot and I wash and dry it just like any other shirt and it still looks fine, probably been washed over 15 times. Don't know why it would be peeling. I have got to get my shirts done this week, leaving friday so I am hoping for no problems.

 

[k_fawver]

I have washed and dried the shirt, but used a low setting. It could be that I just didn't iron the edges long enough. I ironed them too long on a design that had some red in it and it bled through, so on the others I didn't iron as long.

Good thing I bought extra stuff!!

 

[tinkerbell/pixie]

I think you are right it may be the ironing. You are either not ironing long enough or it could be the surface you are ironing on.

 

[k_fawver]

I'm ironing on my kitchen counter with a pillowcase underneath. Do you think that's ok?

 

[tinkerbell/pixie]

What type of surface is it? I do the same.

 

[k_fawver]

Formica I think

 

[tinkerbell/pixie]

If you are using formica they should be fine. I have formica also. If you are using a dry iron than the only thing I can think of is the ironing time.I also use a pillow case underneath.If itis not a red or black shirt try to increase the ironing time a little.

 

[heartbeeps]

I'm ironing on my kitchen counter with a pillowcase underneath. Do you think that's ok?

Can you put a hot pan on the formica countertop without putting a hot plate or trivet down first? I'd suggest you talk to a kitchen expert or research on the internet as to the heat tolerance for formica before attempting to do it.

I read on this board that folks ironed on a coffee table with a pillowcase underneath. Well when I followed others advice, I ruined my coffee table. Fortunately it wasn't a really good table; however, it was one my father made when he was in high school so it had sentimental value. The heat from the iron took the varnish (or whatever it was) right off. See this pix of the spot where I was ironing - it's got a white tint to it now!

[/IMG]

Oh yeah, I ruined the pilowcase too!

 

[dogodisney]

Can you put a hot pan on the formica countertop without putting a hot plate or trivet down first? I'd suggest you talk to a kitchen expert or research on the internet as to the heat tolerance for formica before attempting to do it.

I read on this board that folks ironed on a coffee table with a pillowcase underneath. Well when I followed others advice, I ruined my coffee table. Fortunately it wasn't a really good table; however, it was one my father made when he was in high school so it had sentimental value. The heat from the iron took the varnish (or whatever it was) right off. See this pix of the spot where I was ironing - it's got a white tint to it now!

[/IMG]

Oh yeah, I ruined the pilowcase too!

Oh, that is a shame.

 

[tinkerbell/pixie]

Sorry about your table. I understand some things just can't be replaced.You can iron on formica. You need to iron on a surface that the heat will go through the shirt and hit the surface and come back through. Wood surfaces will burn because the hold heat.I learned the hard way because I tried to iron on one of ds small table years ago. I have used the counter top since.