Twisting cotton fabric

There's no point in microwaving it as 100% cotton won't crease permanently whaever you do to it. The creases will drop right out next time you wash it. Just wash it as normal, then gather the hem in one hand and the waist in the other and twist until you can twist no more. Bring the ends together and tuck one end into the loop that's formed.

At this stage you can just leave it in a warm place like the airing cupboard to dry, or you can put a few elastic bands round it and toss it into the dryer with something to absorb the bumps, such as towels. It does take quite a while to dry right through.

If it's going to be some time until you wear it don't unwrap it, just store it twisted up.

Dear Daisy,

You can also twist the skirt and put it in a nylon stocking. It will dry faster that way; however, you may need to knot it to get the degree of twist that you want. Sally's right; an all-cotton skirt will lose all its wrinkles the next time it's washed.

Teri

Thank you for your help. I know cotton will lose its creases everytime it's washed. I have to say that the piece I twisted and dried in the microwave worked just fine. As an experiment I followed Sally's suggestion about the twisting method and found it would fit in the microwave. It took about 20 minutes on high and dried and creased perfectly. As I don't particularly want to microwave material as a regular thing, I think twisting in a nylon stocking with sections tied to keep the twist in and putting in the tumble drier with towels sounds effective, but if I'm not in a hurry then, as you say, twisted into a nylon stocking and secured and put in a warm place is probably the best energy-saving method.

Cheers

Daisy

Carthage demands an explanation for this insolence!

I made a broomstick skirt this summer. I had bought one of those cork-screw spiral type hangers at a sewing show several years ago, so I wet the skirt and twisted it into the hanger. The best idea I had read about getting it dry was to put it in the trunk of your car on a hot summer day. That seemed to dry it the fastest. I just put it in the trunk before I went to work - got plenty warm in there.

Nancy in Texas where it is still summer - 102 degrees!