Can Selvage be in the Seam??

Reply Subscribe

Page 2 of 2

Thread Tools

11-13-2010, 10:12 AM

#11

bearisgray

Power Poster

Join Date: May 2008

Location: MN

Posts: 24,522

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobo2000

I wash my fabric with the selvedge on and have never had it draw up or shrink. Its fabric the same as where it is printed. I have used it for effect within a log cabin block on a quilt for my dog and it gets washed weekly and looks the same as the rest of the quilt. Remember, it is made with the same threads as the rest of the fabric.

On some of the fabrics I've washed, the selvage does shrink noticeably. On others, no shrinkage, or not very much.

11-13-2010, 08:49 PM

#12

sewingladydi

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2010

Location: Woodhaven, Michigan

Posts: 1,981

I wouldn't do it. When I left a selvedge on and tried to do a narrow hem, it wasn't nice. The selvedge isn't flat & true

11-14-2010, 12:49 PM

#13

majormom

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Manchester, NH

Posts: 701

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parrothead

I'm working on a design for a quilt that needs tiny strips. The fabric has some neat strips but one would have part of the selvage in the seam. I have done this with sewing but not quilts. Is it okay?? What would be the problem if it is hidden?

I was taught (way back in the dark ages, when I went to school in the cave :-) ) to never leave the selvage on, but rather to make sure it was not used in the sewing of any seam. Trouble is, I can't remember why! But as a result, I have never allowed the selvage to remain on anything I have sewn in the past 64 years!

11-14-2010, 01:02 PM

#14

tjradj

Super Member

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: London, Ontario, Canada

Posts: 1,326

If I'm using the selvedge in a seam, I make sure I cut the furthest edge off. That way even if it does shrink, it can be pressed flat.

11-14-2010, 01:09 PM

#15

Bobbielinks

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Missouri

Posts: 3,430

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathyAire

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluelady

The selvage will shrink at such a different rate than the rest of the fabric, that it can cause problems after the quilt is washed a few times. It will make it wrinkle and pucker oddly.

I agree with Jana. If you have ever seen an older quilt that draws up at a seam it's because the selvage was left on. I've seen it mainly on quilt backings. You will see the seam looking almost like there is a draw string pulling it.

I agree with Jana and Kathy. The selvage is tight to begin with and will shrink differently than the rest of the fabric. However, as with clothing, if you clip the selvage (don't cut into the seam) it should be o.k. in the seam allowance.

11-14-2010, 01:19 PM

#16

dsb38327

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: MS

Posts: 3,434

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathyAire

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluelady

The selvage will shrink at such a different rate than the rest of the fabric, that it can cause problems after the quilt is washed a few times. It will make it wrinkle and pucker oddly.

Ooopps, ........ I do it all the time. Guess I better stop.
I didn't know this. Thank you.

11-14-2010, 01:33 PM

#17

dgmoby

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2010

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 547

Only if you don't mind it shrinking at a different rate than the rest of the fabric. That is normally what happens to the selvages.

Also, it is harder to quilt through, by machine or hand.

Debbie in Austin

11-14-2010, 02:01 PM

#18

sidmona

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: Milton, Georgia

Posts: 2,739

I never leave the selvedges on for all the above mentioned reasons.

11-14-2010, 02:04 PM

#19

fuail

Junior Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: So Cal mountains

Posts: 141

I fine that the selvagdges are heavier than the rest of the fabric, so I don't usually use them in small pieced blocks, but haven't had trouble with that on bigger things like a tablecloth. How's that for an ambiguous answer!?