Iron-on transfer dilemma

[ksoehrlein]

I just now checked the tag on DD's shirt that I'm going to iron a computer-paper transfer onto. It's not 100% cotton or even a cotton-poly blend, which Avery recommends in their instructions. Instead, it's 96% cotton and 4% spandex.

I printed out the transfer last night and I'm dying to iron it on, but now I'm scared. Should I buy a new shirt for her and use that instead? The part-spandex one is so cute, though. It's a tank top with a little crystal flower at the bottom hem, leaving plenty of room for my transfer. But the care instructions say cool iron only, so I'm scared about the effect of the hot iron setting required to get the transfer to work.

So can anyone share their experience or tell me what you think is the worst that can happen if I go ahead and use that shirt anyway? My fears run the gamut from melting the spandex and ruining my iron to burning a hole in the shirt to merely making the fabric just a little too shiny. Which outcome is the most likely?

 

[piratesmate]

I'd go get another shirt. Sorry! I've done the iron-on thing before & they really need the HOT iron. Given what happens to spandex in the dryer, I seriously doubt you'll be happy with the results on the shirt you have. I'm thinking you'll melt fibers, but even if you don't I'd think they'd at the very least be "weakened" and/or loose their elasticity.

 

[sconnell]

I have a couple of fitted button-up shirts that have that small amount of spandex in them. I iron them on high all of the time. I'd give it a try, unless the shirt really cost a lot or you have a REALLY nice iron that you're worried about. If you go for it, keep a close eye and stop if you think somethings not right. But I tend to try things.

 

[Twigs]

I think that the transfer on the shirt could get cracks in it from the shirt stretching.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I would get a different shirt. The spandex WILL stretch the transfer and end up putting cracks in it. Also even that little bit of spandex can transfer to the sole plate of your iron and yuck it up.

Deb