HELOISE Institute answers questions about fabric

Dear Readers: Here is some great information from our friends at the International Fabricare Institute. This question and answer come from the publication "Fabricare."
Question: "Some of my laundered shirts have puckers on the collar and cuffs. What is the reason?"
Answer: "Sometimes the collar and cuffs of shirts become distorted and bubbled after laundering. The fabric becomes rippled and puckered from one seam edge to another. Collars and cuffs usually have a fused interfacing to give them shape and body. In this case, the interfacing has shrunk more than the other fabric, making the face fabric larger than the interfacing. In some cases the collar and cuffs can be stretched and pressed flat, but this is a temporary restoration. The manufacturer must select an interfacing that has compatible shrinkage with the face fabric."
So, if your shirts have puckered collars or cuffs, it's not your fault!
Many thanks to our friends at IFI for their great information and for letting us share it with our readers. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When I open my Christmas cards, I save all of the envelopes, making sure each has the address on it. Then, when Christmas is over, I address my Christmas-card envelopes for next year, using this year's envelopes to go by. I put these in a place where I can have them at my fingertips for next year. It then takes just a few minutes to make changes or add new ones to the list. I go shopping the day after Christmas and make sure that I buy Christmas cards when they are at half-price. It's a joy to get those cards out the first of December and know that the cards are ready to go. Sue Shell Chrisco, Via E-mail
Buying holiday cards on sale is the smart way to save. Can you believe that the holiday season is right around the corner? To make it less stressful for you, I have two helpful pamphlets that include some of my favorite holiday recipes and helpful hints. To receive them, please send $6 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (80 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Holiday, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5001. Keep in mind that thieves are busier during the holidays. So don't leave packages in clear view in your vehicle. Also, don't place your purse or valuables in the trunk in a busy parking lot and then go back into the store. Thieves can open a trunk in a few seconds! Heloise
Dear Heloise: I have a timesaving tip: Screw a cup hook to the inside of one of your kitchen cabinets. Make a hole with the cup hook on the back part of a plastic bag that you have labeled as "receipts -- (applicable month/year)" with a permanent maker.
When you come home from shopping, put all your receipts in the bag. If you decide to return an item, you will not have to hunt for your receipt. Also, I replace the bags each month and save the bags with the receipts in a box. Alicia F. Ramon, San Antonio
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate