100 Cotton Fabric

I am new to sewing and will be working on a project soon. I purchased 2 yards of 100% cotton from a fabric store. (i forgot to ask this question and now do not have their number..) Should I pre-wash the fabric or not?

Well, I'm going to be the odd man out and say you don't have to wash your fabric. In the past, dyes were not always colorfast and tended to run. But with the new dyes today, that isn't always the case. Test a small piece to see if the fabric color will bleed. If it doesn't, you don't have to wash it. I would recommend always washing red and purple fabric, because they are tricky. And if you wash one fabric, you have to wash all the fabric going into that quilt, because you want the shrinkage to be the same throughout. Washing the fabric also takes the sizing out of it, so if you like the crisper feel when you are sewing, use a 50% water and liquid starch mixture in a spray bottle while you are pressing your material. And I've never washed a piece of fabric that I didn't have to iron it, so expect to spend some time at the ironing board. I also cut my fabric into manageable pieces (1/2 to 1 yard) before I wash them so that they are easier to iron. The shrinkage is manageable, but this will give your quilt a different texture. Some like it and some don't.

2007-07-11 14:40:03 by Red Velvet Cake

I am new to sewing and recently purchased a 100% cotton fabric to make a skirt. I have been getting confliciting answers from vendors, tailors, etc... Is it ok to just start my project with my fabric without washing? Can I wash the skirt with cold water and air dry after completed? Would that be ok? Or .....

Yes, cotton will shrink from hot water and from a hot dryer. A good habit before beginning any sewing project is to pre-wash any washable fabrics according to recommended guidelines. In this case I would wash your cotton on the warmest setting possible - hot for white, warm for bright colors. Follow this by drying on hot or warm depending on the colors. In general, wash and dry the fabric as you would the completed project. I would also recommend ironing the fabric before cutting out your pattern pieces.

Another good reason to pre-wash is to rid the fabric of any sizing, chemicals, excess dyes used when the fabric was manufactured. If working with bright colors, you should "set" the color beforehand. (Ever worn a dark color and it rubbed off on your undergarments or worse, your skin?) This is done by dissolving 1/4 cup salt in a sink of cold water and immersing/soaking your fabric for 1/2 hour or so.

Although you can hand wash/delicate machine cold wash and hang dry - why not take the extra step before making your item. This way you have the option to toss it in the dryer and you won't have to worry about shrinkage.

Best of luck on learning your new hobby. It is quite rewarding to make your own clothing. :-)

2007-07-16 13:09:12 by Red Velvet Cake

Price: $34.95 $33.00

Set of 4 swaddling blankets works for babies and moms from newborn stage up through toddler years
Crafted from 100-percent gentle, durable, breathable, cotton muslin; all-weather fabric protects from heat and cold
Printed in enduringly stylish designs to combine easily with existing baby gear

The fabric is thin cotton, as used for quilting. I've tried lightweight cutaway and tearaway layered, but the stitches pucker the fabric as soon as I take it out of the hoop.

When I want absolutely no shifting of the fabric as the machine embroiders the design I use HTCW Wet N' Set Adhesive Tear Away or Floriani Wet N Gone Tacky.

An alternative is to use temporary spray adhesive for fabric - spray it on the stabilizer and press the fabric onto the stabilizer.

HTCW is not that easy to find. Floriani can be found many places, including - http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp099 60-0253.html

Another place I like to buy from - http://shoppersrule.com/mm5/merchant.mvc ?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SP-WS3079x 25&Store_Code=sr&search=stabiliz er&offset=80&filter_cat=&Pow erSearch_Begin_Only=&sort=price.asc& amp;range_low=&range_high=

2009-02-09 07:44:20 by dicey

Woven contrasting border
Large napkin is 20-inches square, and is sold in a Set of 4
Cold water wash

Sometimes I have bought fabric that looks and feels like cotton, but I have no idea how to tell, especially if it is a remnant. Also, why do quilters usually like all cotton fabric?

That's an interesting question. Best thing I could think to do would be to take a small piece of it and light it on fire (seriously). Polyester or nylon will burn very quickly, leaving a plastic-like residue behind. Silk or rayon will burn very quickly, but I think you'd be able to tell if it were silk or rayon anyway. If it burns more slowly and smells terrible, it's wool, but again I think you would be able to tell by feeling it. If it burns very slowly and steadily like a wick, it's most likely cotton.

Cotton is favored because it's soft, durable and natural. Synthetic fibers sometimes don't feel as nice or hold up as well as cotton.

2008-05-08 10:32:30 by KittyPuppy

I want to reupholster a couch and chair. What are the advantages/disadvantages of using 100% cotton fabric compared to a synthetic polyester acrylic blend?

I would go with synthetic. The best fabric for stains and durability is Micro fiber. I haven't had too much experience with all cotton sofa. I know cotton can stain, where as synthetics are pretty stain resistant. Cotton can also fade. If you want that look, its ok. I worked in a furniture store for 10 years and the only cottons we carried were denim and it was mainly for that casual look. Micro fiber is pretty reasonably price and there are hundreds of colors. If you go with a micro fiber make sure to buy a thicker grade. Good luck!

2006-06-20 18:47:43 by Donald L