At least in my chilly neck of the woods!

The sun is shining and there’s a light breeze today, so hopefully that’s enough to at least get this heap of fabric started drying:

There’s just something about the smell and feel of fabric that’s had a chance to dry outside in the sunlight and air.

Don’t get me wrong – if it’s fabric that will be made into a garment that will ever go through the dryer, it gets thoroughly machine dried.  I don’t want to take a chance on a garment shrinking after it’s all done.

This taffeta is going to be the lining on a wool jacket, which I can confidently say will never get put through the dryer.  At least if I want to be able to wear it afterwards…

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Wordy Wednesday

Let’s take a look at the unwashed fabric first:

The unwashed fabric

And now let’s see how the washed and dried fabric fared:

The washed fabric

The edges have a slightly pink tinge, but other than that – the fabric looks just fine.  I didn’t do anything different, just washed it on warm with detergent and rinsed on cold.

The result?  Fabric that I can handle without sneezing or causing rashes

images: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

And The Results Are In…

I found a gorgeous cream-colored drapery-weight fabric, covered with a red paisley print.  It’s going to coordinate beautifully with my living room, so I bought several yards.

The unwashed fabric

The clerk was having hard time getting the fabric folded nicely, so I said not to worry about it, I’m going to toss it into the washing machine as soon as I get home.

Well!  I might as well have said that I was going to light it on fire in the middle of the street.  The poor woman was absolutely horrified that I was going to wash my fabric.

I explained that I have an allergic reaction to fabric sizing, and it’s much better for me to wash it, rather than put up with a red, itchy rash and feeling like I have the flu anytime I handle the fabric.

She still was shocked that I would wash it – and of course, there’s the fact that I have three dogs, anything in my house needs to be washed!

I’ve washed hundreds of pieces of fabric over the years, and not once have I had any trouble with dye running.  There are a few things you can do to help – but in general, I don’t worry about it

• First of all, don’t use hot water – the hotter the water, the more likely your fabric is to run.
• Don’t let the fabric soak in water and soap.
• Take the fabric out of the washing machine as soon as it’s finished and either dry it or hang it up.
• If you’re really concerned about the dye running, you can try this old trick.  Make a solution of 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup vinegar dissolved in a half gallon of cold water.  Soak your fabric in it for about 30 minutes and wash as normal.

I’ve got my fabric in the washing machine right now, and I’ll post another photo later this afternoon when it’s dry.

Just remember… use these tips at your own risk!

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Excuse Me, Is Your Fabric Running?