Tip did not work for me
07-06-2015, 08:10 AM
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lebanon Missouri
Posts: 2,668
Okay Nai Nai, you got me going on these balls. How many do you use and how large did you make them?
I have used the corner snip myself and yes it frays but the fray is shorter and usually doesn't wad up with the rest of the fabric you are doing and doesn't make a big ball, so it does work for that, but won't stop fraying itself.
I have used the corner snip myself and yes it frays but the fray is shorter and usually doesn't wad up with the rest of the fabric you are doing and doesn't make a big ball, so it does work for that, but won't stop fraying itself.
07-06-2015, 08:23 AM
#42
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,584
I think the next time I have something that needs to be prewashed I'll run an experiment. I'll wash half using a regular full cycle and half using a gentle cycle, no 'adjustments' to the fabric itself (no serging, straight stitching, seaming, zig-zagging, pleating, pinning, corner clipping, block cutting, pinking, overcasting, end joining, etc).
For half the regular cycle batch, I'll trim loose threads and shake out the fabric pre-drying. The other half will go in the dryer 'as is' right out of the washer. Same two cases for the gentle cycle batch.
All pieces will start out with the same measurements and will be cut from the same yardage. Photos will be taken of each step along the way and final measurements will be noted.
The working hypothesis: Machine washing in a gentle cycle followed by trimming threads and shaking out the fabric before machine drying results in no knotting, less fraying, and fewer wrinkles.
What a great reason to go buy 4 yards of fabric!! It's all in the name of Science!
For half the regular cycle batch, I'll trim loose threads and shake out the fabric pre-drying. The other half will go in the dryer 'as is' right out of the washer. Same two cases for the gentle cycle batch.
All pieces will start out with the same measurements and will be cut from the same yardage. Photos will be taken of each step along the way and final measurements will be noted.
The working hypothesis: Machine washing in a gentle cycle followed by trimming threads and shaking out the fabric before machine drying results in no knotting, less fraying, and fewer wrinkles.
What a great reason to go buy 4 yards of fabric!! It's all in the name of Science!
I really enjoying everyones comments to this thread...this is how we learn Judy in Phx, AZ
07-06-2015, 10:44 AM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Bay area CA
Posts: 887
"The more dryer balls you have in a load, the shorter the drying time will be."
I tried 150 of these in my drier and the washcloth that i was able to fit in with them, well it never dried. Not enough room to tumble.
tim in san jose
I tried 150 of these in my drier and the washcloth that i was able to fit in with them, well it never dried. Not enough room to tumble.
tim in san jose
07-06-2015, 10:58 AM
#44
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
Posts: 16,105
I tried it also. The other day I bought some fabric about 8 yards, (3 pieces). I thought since I have old thread in my one machine, I'll stitch the ends. Not too bad and really didn't take long. Did it while the washer filled up. not sure what was in the fabric but put it in hot water on large load and double rinse. Through in some A&H washing soda. Got it at Hancocks and it wasn't that great of a sale. I sneezed and the furbabies sneezed.
07-06-2015, 12:00 PM
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Kaua`i
Posts: 616
Heads up! Pinking blades will shred your mat!
Use your old non-healing mat. Don't we all start out "cheap" and eventually buy a good mat?
Pinked edges have another perk: if you have a mix of washed/unwashed fabric in your stash, you can easily store "by colour" and instantly know if a piece of fabric needs to be washed when you start pulling fabric for a new project.
I do try to wash fabric as it comes in the door. But life gets in the way of my best intentions.
07-06-2015, 12:13 PM
#47
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 61
Honestly, I can't be bothered snipping, serging, pinking, etc. my yardage before washing . . . lol
I simply place my fabric in a pillow case or mesh washing bag, close it up and toss it into the washer on my gentlest cycle. With quality, quilt shop fabric, almost never a single fray. If the fabric is a bit cheaper, then I will might see a tiny bit of fraying, but not much. Easy peasy!
I simply place my fabric in a pillow case or mesh washing bag, close it up and toss it into the washer on my gentlest cycle. With quality, quilt shop fabric, almost never a single fray. If the fabric is a bit cheaper, then I will might see a tiny bit of fraying, but not much. Easy peasy!
07-07-2015, 11:07 AM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Bay area CA
Posts: 887
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
girliegirl
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
18
05-30-2013 10:20 AM
jarenie
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
23
01-02-2012 06:14 AM
oma66
Pictures
270
09-28-2011 07:31 AM
