Currently, there are a large number of artificial leather substitutes used for sewing clothes and accessories. Almost all of them are made of synthetic materials that look good when purchased, but lose their appearance during storage due to the formation of folds and creases. The situation can be corrected using various smoothing methods, even at home. Often, it all depends on the type of material.
Varieties
There are several options for skin substitutes, which are actively used in sewing clothes:
- vinyl;
- leatherette;
- kirsa;
- stretch leather;
- eco leather;
- recycled leather.
Vinyl, or rather, polyvinyl chloride, is the toughest material on which creases that have arisen are not easy to smooth out. It is used for sewing bags, raincoats and unusual suits, as it keeps its shape well enough.
Dermatin is the most famous and common skin substitute. The material has a fabric base, which makes its cost low, and the operation process is short. It is used not only in sewing clothes, but also when upholstering sofas, sewing purses, book covers.
Kirza is the most durable material in this series. It is difficult to remember, but if this happens, then aligning the bends will be problematic. In addition, it has another significant drawback - a large weight. It is mainly used in footwear to create military boots.
One of the most modern and sought-after materials for tailoring jackets, skirts and bags can be called eco-leather. This is due to the characteristics and appearance of the material. It is characterized by flexibility and excellent appearance.
Ecoskin is produced from a polyurethane film, the quality of which directly depends on the thickness. The larger it is, the longer the life of the product.
Recycled leather can be called semi-artificial material, as it is made from ground scraps of skins. It is characterized by increased elasticity and high similarity to natural material. But there is one significant drawback - low strength. Therefore, products made from it (most often Chinese) are not in demand.
Ironing devices
Each of these materials has its own way of ironing and alignment. Most often, the following substances and devices are used:
- iron;
- steamer;
- steam bath;
- water;
- shoe cream.
To achieve maximum effect, you must know the rules for using each of these tools.
Application
Before starting processing the product, it is necessary to test the selected method in a small area of leatherette. It is worth starting further work only if the method has not caused damage to the material.
Most leatherette products have a tag indicating the admissibility of a particular heat or chemical treatment. In the case when the use of the iron is not prohibited, you can try to iron the folds. To do this, set the minimum temperature on the appliance for delicate ironing and turn off the steaming function. You will also need terry towels in the amount of four pieces.
First, towels are laid on the wrong side of the product, and then smooth the leatherette until the bends disappear completely.
After achieving the desired result, the thing must be carefully hung and allowed to cool.
Products made of leatherette can be steamed with a special device. It is great for aligning things with a large number of seams, as ironing them is quite difficult. It is best to carry out this procedure by hanging clothes - a jacket, coat or skirt - on a mannequin. So when dried, they will immediately take the necessary shape.
First you need to turn the product inside out. Then set the steamer to medium temperature. If this is outerwear, then work begins with sleeves. The device should be at a distance of about 10 cm. Processing of each part of the product is carried out within 3-5 minutes. After its completion, the clothes are turned on the front side and again hung on a mannequin (hanger).
In the absence of a steamer, such a procedure can also be carried out using improvised means. A good alternative is a steam bath. To do this, you will need a hanger and newspapers if the product is a bag.
The most hot water is collected in the bath and the thing is hung on a hook directly above the steam. If the bag is leveled, then it is pre-packed tightly with newspapers to give shape. The door to the bathroom should be tightly closed from the beginning to the end of the procedure. This treatment lasts for 3 hours. Then the product is hung out in a dry room with good ventilation until completely dry. It is worth mentioning that a loggia or balcony will not be suitable for this, since prolonged exposure to direct sunlight on wet leatherette can lead to excessive drying and cracking.
Small creases can be smoothed out simply with water. To do this, it is necessary to fill the liquid with a conventional spray gun and spray the product with plenty. If the item is made of soft material, it is enough to spray water once on the wrong side and hang it for drying. When the folds are deep, old or the material is harder, this procedure should be carried out on the front side of the product. At the same time, spraying is repeated several times within an hour, as if the product (backpack or dress) is wet under the doge. Then the thing is completely dried.
Shoe cream is also considered an effective way to smooth wrinkles, as it makes the skin soft and supple.It is best to use a colorless transparent agent. The clothes are hung on a hanger or mannequin and the cream is applied with a sponge. After complete absorption (up to 3 hours), the remaining excess cream is simply washed with a napkin.
In the case when the usual steaming and ironing do not bring the desired result, you can apply the chemical composition prepared at home. To do this, you need ordinary table vinegar 9% in the amount of 1 tbsp. l and washing conditioner - 1 tsp. The composition must be well mixed and poured into a spray bottle. Then spray the product on the front side of the product and hang it to dry. Do not worry about the pungent odor, it quickly disappears in the air.
Additional methods
In addition to the widely used methods listed above, there are several other tools that are used only under certain conditions. One of these is glycerin. It is used with frequent leatherette processing.
To remove wrinkles, it is applied with the help of a colorless cotton cloth to the rumpled area several times (up to three). After complete absorption and leveling, they treat the entire surface of the product and dry it separately from other things.
The hair dryer also shows good results, but only when straightening small bruises. To do this, place the device at least 30 cm from the product and turn on the supply of warm air. Processing should not be too long.
If within several minutes the result is not visible, then it is better not to overdry the material and apply another method.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the washing. This method is more suitable for skirts or vests. Clothes are washed in a special mode for the skin. Then it is immediately taken out, hand leveled as much as possible and hung out for drying. If you leave the product at least briefly in the washing machine, there will be even more wrinkles.
As for bags, a thin cotton cloth can be used for straightening. The product is tightly packed with newspapers and hermetically sealed. The fabric is moistened with warm water and wrapped around the bag in one layer. The entire structure must be hung by the handles until completely dry.
In conclusion, I want to note that it is much easier to prevent the appearance of wrinkles on the leatherette than to smooth them out later. Therefore, such things are best stored on a hanger. In addition, you should not store products in warm places, as they may wrinkle or crack from drying out. And clothes made of leatherette should be acquired size in size, as the stretched or excess material is necessarily wrinkled.
You will learn how to smooth out a leatherette correctly from the next video.
