Is it good idea to give flannel trousers a permanent press?

[kenmoor123]

I brought a Martin&son mid-weight flannel to my tailor to ask him to make trousers today. He insists that it's highly recommended to give the trousers a permanent press called "Siroset" because it's difficult for a woolen flannel to keep a good enough crease. Should I follow his advice?

Thank you.

 

[jefferyd]

Didn't know that stuff was still around.......The usefulness is debatable but it can't hurt.

 

[Despos]

Have not heard of this stuff. Some sort of sizing? What is it Jefferyd?

 

[jefferyd]

It's a chemical setting agent used in the finishing process by fabric mills. For those who don't know, there is a lot of stretching and easing or fulling in the construction process which we control with steam and pressure; in very humid climates (or when the ill-advised take a steamer to their suit or leave it hanging in a steamy bathroom) the seams pucker. To try to prevent this puckering some decided to spray it on the seam before it was pressed during the making up- in theory, it's a good idea, but the heat and pressure settings required to activate it are longer those we normally use in making up, and there is some debate as to whether the fabric can be re-set once it has been set in the finishing. I have used it and it didn't negatively affect the fabric but I can't say for sure whether it really works in the long run. As far as I know you can only get it from the mills and I didn't think anyone was still using it for tailoring, though if someone has found a good use for it I'd love to know about it.

J