Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › Achieving a pressed crease in cord trousers
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Achieving a pressed crease in cord trousers

post #1 of 7
10/24/11 at 2:33pm
Thread Starter 
My cords' label says to only iron the trousers inside out. I therefore wondered what the best way would be to achieve a centre pressed crease without compacting the cording too much.

Is it ok to iron the cords inside out, but then correctly turned out just press the crease at the edge using a pressing cloth?

Thanks All
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 7
10/25/11 at 8:46pm
I do not believe it is ever wise to "press" cords from the inside out. And it is is certainly never acceptable to "press" cords on the outside nap. Both processes will result in the flattening or distortion of the "nap lines".

The best way to "press" cords is through a light steaming accompanied by a simultaneous light brushing with a wide horsehair brush, and followed immediately thereafter by the extraction of all the moisture imparted by the steam through the use of a vacuum. This will produce a relatively smooth pair of cords with a light, rolled crease.

Unfortunately, you need a rather specialized European Ironing board with a built in vacuum to accomplish this in the home (they run about $2,000 to $2,500 depending on the brand/model). Alternatively, you could entrust your cords to your local dry cleaner for pressing -- but only if you provide your cleaner with the specific instructions identified above. Don't presume your local cleaner won't put those cords on a press and bring down the head of the press with 80 pounds of pressure, thereby crushing the nap.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 7
10/25/11 at 10:29pm
Perhaps I have lived a sheltered life but the only cords I have ever seen ironed is whipcord.
Ironing cordouroy? What's next, polishing suede shoes?
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 7
10/25/11 at 11:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stubloom View Post

I do not believe it is ever wise to "press" cords from the inside out. And it is is certainly never acceptable to "press" cords on the outside nap. Both processes will result in the flattening or distortion of the "nap lines".
The best way to "press" cords is through a light steaming accompanied by a simultaneous light brushing with a wide horsehair brush, and followed immediately thereafter by the extraction of all the moisture imparted by the steam through the use of a vacuum. This will produce a relatively smooth pair of cords with a light, rolled crease.
Unfortunately, you need a rather specialized European Ironing board with a built in vacuum to accomplish this in the home (they run about $2,000 to $2,500 depending on the brand/model). Alternatively, you could entrust your cords to your local dry cleaner for pressing -- but only if you provide your cleaner with the specific instructions identified above. Don't presume your local cleaner won't put those cords on a press and bring down the head of the press with 80 pounds of pressure, thereby crushing the nap.

Listen to this man. He knows his stuff.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 7
10/26/11 at 12:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by CYstyle View Post

Listen to this man. He knows his stuff.

This sounds like sound advice and I shall follow it! Thanks Stu
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 7
10/26/11 at 12:19pm
When we press corduroy we cover the press heads with terry cloth and use very light pressure.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 7
10/26/11 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jefferyd View Post

When we press corduroy we cover the press heads with terry cloth and use very light pressure.

Good to know. It's a pain to work with and pressing is always difficult.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Men's Clothing
Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › Achieving a pressed crease in cord trousers