Side seams are twisted after washing(vests,tshirts)?

kiwi_fruit

Hi, this probably sounds weird and I'm not sure how to explain it really, but if you imagine a new vest or a t-shirt- it has side seams(right and left) that are parallel to each other, but as soon as I wash it they seem to screw up and aren't straight any more- but are twisted gradually at an angle one side to the front and another to the back.
I noticed this some time ago and now I know it's there it's really bugging me(and also noticeable when worn) and I was wondering if anybody knows what I mean/had something like that happening and most importantly if there's anything that can be done. It seems to happen with different makes(H&M, New Look, Topshop etc)
I thought at first it was a one off and I didn't notice it was badly cut when buying, but soon realised it happens with many and they look completely fine and straight when purchased and go wonky after first washing. Bizzare.

smileygill

It's just rubbish construction; the garments aren't cut straight in the first place but they're starched and pressed before you buy them so they look OK till they're washed. All you can do is pull them back into shape as best you can, iron them if you can be bothered, and ignore any remaining twist. Generally, more expensive, less fashionable garments fare better (I've found M&S, Uniqlo and sometimes Gap) survive a wash better. It's annoying, but there isn't much you can do. Nobody else is likely to notice unless you direct their attention to it.

Hope that's helpful.

Cheers,
Gill

jenniewb

Agree, its about the construction, or more to the point the fabrics and how they are made. Its about how the cotton (or whatever they use) is constructed and ensuring its twisted correctly, pretreated before being used, made correctly and then the garment created taking all the fabrics defects (or affects depending on how you look at it!) into consideration. More expensive brands tend to do this IMO and about 80% of the stuff I get from Primark or similar does not survive the washing machine as a result! It ends up being a case of either you 'go with the flow' and learn to luurve the new twisty-effect or you find stores which sell clothes that do look just as good as when purchased after the first few washes!

Other issues I have had have been holes appearing in items where the fibers have been to weak and broken away, colours fading in certain places, the stretch going even after only one wear if things are kept for more then a year and odd colorings appearing (like yellowing) when the item has been left near sunlight!

Gap have a sale on btw- think Uniqlo may have too? M&S always seem to!

busiscoming2

I have often wondered why this happens on some garments. In my experience the cost of the garment has nothing to do with it as I find the majority of Primark t shirts keep their shape wonderfully. Some I have paid much more for have gone twisty after the first wash.

Tigsteroonie

I have to agree with the above ^^^ surprisingly few of my Primark t-shirts twist. The ones I find twist worst are "souvenir" t-shirts, basic white with a design on the front.

Bettie

badly cut, they use up every scrap of material and cut this way and that. I notice it all the time mostly with my daughter's clothes. I usually wash on cold and no spin or 500 ( woollen) spin. I don't overload the machine, she crams it all in together and puts it on the fastest spin.
Pull into shape when pegging out and again as you iron, if you iron! (still damp). Hang folded over the line and peg under the arms.
I call them hard work clothes. I would notice the wonky twisted seam lines and I wouldn't wear them if they were too bad, my daughter couldn't care less about them. :-)

beedeedee

Sometimes it's a bit more MSE to pay more for quality tees that will wash and wash again.....

FelinePrincess

Glad I've came accross this thread as it always really bothered me that one of my superdry t shirts twisted very badly after washing, I presumed it was my fault!

Very annoying!

kiwi_fruit

Wow thanks for your replies, glad it's not just me then or the washing machine lol.
I agree re Primark tops, just checked and they're fine except maybe a couple with just a barely noticeable twisting. New Look, H&M and Zara(quite surprisingly) are very bad. One New Look top has a staggering 4" twist, can't even wear it, it's that noticeable.
Any tips on how to avoid it the first place, what to look for, as it's just bizzare how they look absolutely straight when buying.

Sometimes it's a bit more MSE to pay more for quality tees that will wash and wash again.....

doesn't explain why primark stuff is mostly fine then and more expensive makes faulty.

Hobsons_Choice

I recently bought a pair of track trousers for the gym from Matalan - and I didn't buy the cheapo ones but the slightly more expensive cotton ones (I think about £15). The one leg has twisted so badly the side seam is at the front! Never again....