T-shirts getting twisted in the wash....

pinkteapot

Something I've wondered about all my life, and then today I thought, "I know who'll know the answer!"...

Why do some t-shirts/polo shirts get twisted in the wash? By which I mean if you hold it up by the shoulders, the bottom has twisted round so that the side seam runs diagonally down the front.

Why does it happen and is there any way to stop it? I try to iron them back into shape but it doesn't work too well...

SuziQ1962

It is to do with the way the yarn that the tee shirts are knitted from is constructed,cheaper teeshirts are made from cheaper single ply yarn whereas better quality tees are usually made from a two ply yarn that offers more stability in the knitted fabric. Not all expensively priced teeshirts are good quality though as my son buys "designer " tee shirts that are really crap fabric!Hope that helps!

Bronnie

I believe it's due to the fabric not being cut on the "grain"

http://sewing.about.com/od/beginner1/p/fabricgrain.htm

Cost of garment doesn't always guarantee quality either, especially with fashionable items.

Not over-washing helps. I always give the garment a shake and line up the seams again as soon as I remove from the washing machine. Start lining the seams up from under the arms and work down towards the hem as far as possible. Dry the garment with the seams lined up. I think tumble drying definitely exacerbates this.

Some people say dry flat, but tbh I used to have too many t shirts to do this as ex used to go through lots of basic white tees for work, sleep and gym.

If pressing them, I start by holding the garment at the side seams under the arms. Lay flat on the ironing board and ease and press the seams into position as far as poss, working down the garment fromk the underarms to the hem iyswim.

I think if you do this each time you wash it, it does keep the twist to a minimum, rather than let it spiral out of control! Depends whether the garment justifies the effort!

Gosh! Re-reading that anyone, would think I was domesticated :rotfl:

nanto3girls

pinkteapot wrote: »

Something I've wondered about all my life, and then today I thought, "I know who'll know the answer!"...

Why do some t-shirts/polo shirts get twisted in the wash? By which I mean if you hold it up by the shoulders, the bottom has twisted round so that the side seam runs diagonally down the front.

Why does it happen and is there any way to stop it? I try to iron them back into shape but it doesn't work too well...

I hate it when t shirts do this.Never had this problem with M&S t shirts(yet).

pinkteapot

Thanks all. I don't usually buy expensive clothes but I treated myself to a t-shirt from Hobbs a while ago because it a lovely design. That's done it! That'll teach me.

valk_scot

Bronnie wrote: »

I believe it's due to the fabric not being cut on the "grain"

Yup, that's it exactly. They've been cut out squint. It drives me mad when that happens and I usually take them back and complain firmly about it.

Linda32

I know what you mean. I oftern find this with duvet covers as well, is it the same reason. The seams just don't sit square. If its level one side its not the other :mad:

I gave up using them for this reason and went to blankets, but I'm thinking we might need to get the duvet out again if worse weather comes.

Does it mean investing in more expensive/quality duvet covers or do they all do this.

Sorry if I've taken the thread off on a tangent.

nanto3girls

Iv'e never had this problem with duvet covers.

jackyann

Yes, it's the quality of the fabric.
Depends whether you want to have cheap, wear-a-few-times, then into the rag-bag Tshirts, or more expensive ones.
You can usually tell by the heft of them - Lands' End are usually good.

meritaten

usually its a combination of cheap fabric, the fabric not being laid out (with the 'grain') and cut properly and sometimes its because the thread it has been sewn with is the wrong thread for the fabric!
Twisting like this is a sign of poor quality - never accept that if you have bought a 'good' T-shirt!

pinkteapot

Thanks all. Too late to take this t-shirt back now but I'll remember this in future.

I've never had a problem with duvet covers either though...