buttonhead

You might get some mesh bags at walmart (the kind you wash unmentionables in). That way it won't ravel much if any. May take more than one bag though. We lived in Texas for awhile. I can remember those rain storms.

kjym

Oh goodness you have a job. I would just wash and dry and not worry about the raw edges. because if you don't get the fabric washed to get the smell out and it goes meldew you will loose all of your stash. I have also found if you can hang your fabric outside on the line instead of in the dryer you don't have the tied in knots look which is a real pain to iron out.
Also you can get those airtight bags at walmart that you could put your washed & ironed folded fabric in and you seal the end and then lay on the floor on top of it to get the air out . This will keep any new water problems out.
I know this is alot of work but it is better than loosing everything. Hope this helps chin up you will get to the end of the mess faster than you think. If I was closer I would come help. kjym Kathy

MissKay

Sometimes putting clean tennis balls in the dryer with wet clothes will keep them from getting all tangled up. The hint about cutting a triangle from a corner works - I would do it for all 4 corners of the fabric piece. Good luck, I too have a sewing room in basement so i know what your going through.

CircleSquare

Cindy - just wondering what happened with all your wet fabric. Did you save it all? One thing that wasn't mentioned was this (although it may be too late now): What makes strings is the aggitation. Don't let the washer aggitate more than a few seconds, then let the fabric soak for a few more minutes, then turn it on over to spin, and rinse the same way. -Ann

doowopddbop

by the way, thanks for showing us your adorable reversible quilt (back on page 3) - fantastic! Love how everything lined up perfectly for the quilting.

Annya

[quote=cindyw

I knew the basement leaks but what I didn't know was the cabinets I had installed on an outside basement wall would let water enter the back of the cabinets. Now about half of my fabric is damp/wet. I didn't discover it until today and it smells but I haven't found any mildew. (BTW, the contractor that installed the cabinets for me is also surprised water got into them and will try to figure out what to do to avoid this in the future.)

What do I do??? I know normally when you wash fabric you sew the raw edges but there are literally hundreds of pieces. (I inherited my mothers stash plus what I already had so it's a lot!) Can I wash it without sewing the raw edges? Will it be a big mess? Will it unravel much? Or should I just start sewing, washing and drying? I can't imagine how long that will take but I will do whatever is necessary.
Can you buy those laundry bags that you use for lingerie etc. I used mine for scraps and never had the tangled mess and loss if fabric that happens in an ordinary wash. I also only hand wash my fabric and line dry them but with the amount you have you would be better putting them in the dryer on a cool setting so they will not shrink. In case the smell lingers put a bit of conditioner or lavender oil in the water. I hope this works for you and all your fabric comes out clean .

twistedsheets

When people remodel and they know a basement could have seepage problems there is product that can be painted or sprayed on the basement walls which will virtually eliminate this product. If you have a contractor doing work for you, he would know exactly what this product is called. If not go to like home depot, and find a knowledgeable employee who can help you, to purchase and do-it yourselves. This will save you alot of greif in the future! It is applied to the cement walls , or foundation walls>

BettyB

this works because I have washed a lot of fabric that I bought at a storage building sale

Sewingyankee

I would also do smaller loads.

AnnWill

ON those pieces that are just as they came on the bolt, you can cut diagonally across the top and bottom corners of the cut--maybe a 2" cut. Wash and dry--very little raveling. If washing does not take out all the odor, spray with Fabreeze and let air dry completely before folding and storing again.