How to fold a shirt

Proper folding of clothes - a real science, mastery of which frees you from additional work of putting things in order before the next use. This skill becomes especially important when preparing for trips. Men's shirts, folded according to certain rules, take up less space in luggage and do not require special care in the future.

You can learn how to fold a shirt. Like any skill, it becomes easier to perform each time, gradually reaching the point of automaticity. The main thing is to do this taking into account the rules developed by specialists.

Let's get acquainted with the basic ways of folding long and short sleeve shirts.

Ways to Fold a Long Sleeve Shirt

There are three common packaging methods for long sleeve shirts. They differ in the sleeve layout options or the resulting shape (rectangle or cylinder (roll)).

Important! With any method, before folding a men's shirt, it must be buttoned with all the buttons.

First option

In the traditional way, the shirt is folded, making a minimum number of folds on the sleeve (two folds).

Algorithm of actions:

• Carefully lay out the shirt on a flat surface (table, bed or floor) so that no part hangs over the edge of the surface. In this case, the fastener should be at the bottom (facing the surface), and the back of the product at the top.
• We wrap the left side of the product together with the sleeve over the back so that the sleeve is located diagonally across the back. (You can put the rolled sleeve not diagonally, but put it on the second sleeve.) At the same time, the side of the product is also wrapped. It is applied to the back, occupying approximately a fourth of it.
• We do not leave the sleeve in a diagonal position. We lift up its main part and place it next to the side seam. The cuff does not extend beyond the bottom edge of the product. Now half of the back is occupied (side + sleeve).
• We perform similar actions with the other half of the shirt. As a result, in front of us in the center of the back of the product are two sleeves lying next to each other.
• Fold the shirt in thirds lengthwise. We start from the bottom edge, make a turn approximately the length of the palm (1/3 of the product). We make sure that everything looks neat, no folds or creases appear. After this, we fold it a second time, reaching the collar of the shirt. Turn it over with the clasp facing up.

Advice! The traditional method is suitable for folding shirts that are stored on a closet or chest of drawers.

Second option

Another method that is often used is to get a shirt folded into a rectangle shape. This option differs from the first in that the sleeve is folded not 2, but 3 times.

Algorithm of actions:

• Place the shirt on a flat surface with the clasp down, back facing up.
• Place the left sleeve over the right one.In this case, a vertical line should form from the collar down.
• Then we fold the same sleeve back, making a fold at the level of the other edge of the collar. After this, we once again fold the part of the sleeve with the cuff that extends beyond the formed vertical line. We get a sleeve that is folded in three.
• We repeat the same steps with the other sleeve. As a result, we get a product whose length has not yet changed, and whose width does not exceed the collar.
• We fold the shirt lengthwise, dividing it into 3 parts: first the lower part, then again. Now we lift the bottom edge obtained during the first folding to the collar. The shirt is folded, you can turn it face up.

Reference! The second method can be used to place shirts both in a closet or chest of drawers, and in a suitcase.

Third option

Recently, rolling of shirts using a roll (roller) has been increasingly used. The popularity of this method is explained by its convenience: things rolled up in the form of a roll (roll) take up less space, which allows you to place luggage more compactly and put more things in a suitcase or bag than with the usual method.

Algorithm of actions:

• We start with the traditional fastening of all the buttons and laying out the product on a flat surface.
• For a shirt lying face down, fold one of the sleeves along the shoulder line, so that when folded, the side of the shirt forms an even vertical line.
• We repeat the same action with the second sleeve. We make sure that both side lines are approximately the same length.
• Let's start rolling the shirt. This can be done in different ways. One option involves twisting starting from the bottom edge of the product and extending to the collar.In another method, the shirt is first folded three times and then rolled into a roll. At the same time, it is important not to make an effort: the roller should not be very tight, otherwise unnecessary folds and creases will appear on the product.

Reference! Twisting is the most suitable method for synthetic items. Use this option for things that are loaded into a suitcase or travel bag.

How to fold a short sleeve shirt or T-shirt correctly

Short-sleeved items are even easier to fold. The principle of operation on such products does not change, but remains generally the same. The reduced sleeve length makes the procedure shorter: the sleeves do not require time to roll up.

Algorithm of actions:

• We carefully lay the T-shirt or buttoned shirt face down on the table.
• We reduce the width of the product: we wrap one side of the product and place about a third of the shirt along with the sleeve on the back. The side line now runs next to the collar.
• We fold the sleeve so that it does not extend beyond the side part placed on the back.
• We repeat the same steps on the other side of the product.
• The last stage is to reduce the length of the item. To do this, fold the shirt in three, starting work from the bottom edge of the garment.

How to pack a shirt in a suitcase without wrinkles

Packing things in a suitcase, in addition to the ability to fold clothes correctly, has its own specifics. Placing it among other luggage has its own tricks.

• Choosing the right place in your suitcase will help maintain the shape of your shirts. On the one hand, they need a rigid base, so a solid bottom would be a suitable place. But, on the other hand, the shirts should be at the very top. It is not recommended to place other things on them.
• In order for a shirt to retain its shape in a suitcase, it must be folded using one of the specified algorithms. Rigidity will be given by a picture or magazine, which is used as a rigid pad.
• When starting to fold, the shirt is traditionally laid out on the table, back up. A magazine or hard cardboard is placed in the central part of the shirt, under the collar. Then the product is rolled up using any of the listed methods, and the rigid lining ends up inside the shirt.
• When placing several shirts in a suitcase, they are placed so that the part of the other shirt opposite the collar is placed on the collar of one shirt.
• Special packaging boxes help to keep shirts securely. These cases are the size of folded shirts and are convenient for transporting them. The disadvantage of using them is that containers with shirts take up more space in your luggage.

How to quickly fold a shirt

All of the above methods require sequential execution of certain actions. The Japanese managed to reduce them to a minimum, which is why the fastest folding method is called Japanese.

Algorithm of actions:

• Place the product face up.
• Let's mentally draw two straight lines: one - horizontally, in the middle of the shirt or T-shirt. The second - vertically, from the far shoulder, down.
• We take the shirt at the place where the vertical and horizontal lines intersect. We hold the fabric of the face and back at the same time.
• With the other hand we grab the fabric on the shoulder from which we drew a vertical line.
• We fold the shirt (T-shirt), without releasing the fabric in the middle of the product. With the hand that held the fabric on the shoulder, we also grab the lower edge of the product.
• We make a sharp swing, so that the shirt is folded in half, and the sleeves are inside.
• At the last stage, we fold the product in half again.

Helpful Tips for Folding Shirts

• Only clean, washed, stain-free shirts can be folded.
• It is not recommended to fold a damp item; it must be completely dried.
• After ironing, shirts need to cool from the iron. To do this, they are left on hangers for at least 30 minutes.
• Before folding, fasten all buttons, cuffs, and zippers (including on pockets).
• When folding the product, act carefully, making sure that the lines of all folds are smooth and clear.

Following these simple rules and some practice will allow you to fold men's shirts, giving them the look they had when you bought them.