garment care Archives - The Pink Shovel Studio

10 Garment Care Mistakes That Shorten the Life of Handmade Items

Handmade garments are special. Whether you stitched the item yourself, purchased it from an independent maker, or received it as a gift, a handmade piece represents hours of careful work. The fabric was selected, cut, sewn, pressed, and finished with attention that mass-produced clothing does not always receive. However, even a beautifully made garment can wear out quickly when it is not cared for properly. Incorrect washing, drying, storage, and stain removal can cause fabric to fade, seams to weaken, elastic to stretch, and carefully sewn details to become damaged. …

Garment Care

How to Store Quilts and Blankets the Right Way

Quilts and blankets are more than just cozy layers for cold nights. Many of them hold memories: a quilt made by a grandmother, a baby blanket saved from childhood, a handmade throw gifted at Christmas, or a favorite blanket that has been used for years. Because these pieces are often made from fabric, batting, thread, and sometimes delicate trims, they need to be stored with care. The good news is that proper storage does not have to be complicated. With a few simple steps, you can help protect your quilts …

Garment Care

How to Care for Handmade Pot Holders So They Last Longer

Handmade pot holders are both practical and beautiful. Whether they were sewn by you, purchased from a small handmade shop, or received as a thoughtful gift, they deserve a little extra care. Unlike mass-produced kitchen linens, handmade pot holders often include carefully chosen fabrics, batting, stitching, and decorative details that can last for years when cared for properly. The good news is that caring for handmade pot holders is simple. With the right washing, drying, and storage habits, you can keep them clean, sturdy, and ready for everyday kitchen use. …

Garment Care

How to Wash Handmade Bags and Accessories Without Ruining Them

Handmade bags and accessories are made with care, which means they deserve a little extra care when it comes time to clean them. Whether you have a fabric tote bag, zipper pouch, wristlet, keychain wallet, makeup bag, bowl cozy, or reusable snack bag, washing it the right way can help it last longer and keep it looking beautiful. The good news is that most handmade fabric items are not difficult to clean. You just need to know what materials were used, avoid harsh washing methods, and take your time with …

Garment Care

How to Protect Sublimation Items from Fading

Sublimation is popular with crafters and small business owners because it creates bright, colorful designs that become part of the material instead of sitting on top like vinyl or paint. When done correctly, sublimation prints are known for being long-lasting and resistant to cracking or peeling. The dye is transferred with heat, pressure, and time, and the material absorbs the ink during the process. However, sublimation items can still fade if they are made on the wrong blanks, washed incorrectly, exposed to too much direct sunlight, or cleaned with harsh …

Garment Care

Caring for handmade garments

Most handmade garments can be cleaned like you would normal everyday clothing. The exceptions would be if the item was made from material that would need to be dry cleaned, such as: satin, silk, chiffon, or other high item evening wear/special occasion fabric. These items would be marked on the tag as such. Much of our handmade items are made from cotton or cotton knits and can be placed in a washing machine and tumbled dry with no damage being made to the item. In fact, some items, like our …

Garment Care

How to care for your HTV items

We sell a lot of HTV items in our shop, and we want you to know that purchasing these items is safe, and they can last a long time with a little care. HTV is the acronym for Heat Transfer Vinyl. It is a vinyl design that can be adhered to any garment using a heat press that combines heat and pressure to adhere the vinyl permanently to the fabric. Because of the method of adhesion and the vinyl, certain precautions do need to be made to make sure that …