If your fabric is warped, you can square the ends, fold lengthwise and match & sew all edges - the washing action will help to bring it back into shape.
I always machine wash and dry all my fabric before sewing because whatever it is going to "do" I want it to happen before I sew my garment (don't know how many times something got thrown in the washer by mistake and this way I don't have to worry) - if it doesn't pass that test I use it for lap quilts - if it is a special fabric I do the same but with the utmost care
What do I do to find out the fabric content if there's no information tag on it? Most fabrics store in my local market do not have fabric content/care information tags and I just do anything. Is there any way to test them at home to know their contents?
I read online that someone cuts their fabric with pinking shears ( zig zag scissors ) before washing. That sounds less labour intensive than sewing a zig-zag to me. I don't know if they cut the selvedge edges though. I haven't done this myself, so can't say if it works.
How would you identify fabrics that didn't come with any identifying information? I went to a closeout sale at a local fabric store a few weeks back and picked up yards and yards of different fabrics, none of which had any sort of fabric care labels on them (they just came in huge rolls). I went by the feel of the fabric and the print. Any suggestions? Also, and I just now thought of this, how do the contestants on Project Runway get away with not washing their fabrics? It always seems like they go straight to Mood and then straight back to the workroom to sew, with no in-between time for fabric prep. Thanks!
+bxrosie04 There might be other ways, but the burn test is the one I know about for identifying mystery fabrics. You can read about it here: www.threadsmagazine.com/item/31497/how-to-identify-fabrics-with-a-burn-test As for Project Runway. They're really just creating a garment to really be shown one time on the runway so, in that case, they don't really need to pretreat the fabric. If you only plan on wearing the garment one time, you can do the same ;)
+Professor Pincushion thank you very much! Just one more question: would it be ok to wash the fabric with Woolite detergent since it's made to be gentle?
I am making a rag quilt out of cotton fat quarter bundles and also cotton flannel and cotton batting. After watching your video I decided that I will definitely wash everything before I get started. However, do you think it’s a great idea that I cut out a (around 5” by 5”) square of each of my three fabrics and wash those first, and sew if there is any shrinkage or bleeding to the fabrics. If there is shrinkage or bleeding, I will take the whole of my fabrics and wash them. If there is no shrinkage or bleeding, then I will start seeing without washing first. What do you advice me?
sure, you can test on your fabric first. Just get an accurate measurement of whatever you cut so you can compare shrinkage after it comes through the wast.
+Jen Stosser wool is a tricky fabric! Here's one way that a lot of people like to precare it before cutting out their pieces: off-the-cuff-style.blogspot.com/2010/08/tutorial-pre-shrink-woolfast-and-easy.html It could still shrink after you create the garment so maybe gently wash it in cold water and dry flat. good luck!
I'm a beginner who has mever prewashed fabric necause I've mostly made pencil pouches and 2 circle slirts my girls only need for Halloween this year. Is shampoo necessary or is my gain detergent okay? If not how much shampoo do I use for 1 yard of plaid 100% cotton?
I've never used shampoo. I just throw my fabric in with my regular load of laundry unless the directions have more specific care instructions. It just depends on the fabric.
top tip, dont accidentally put your black leather gloves in the same washing machine as your red cotton........luckily a second wash took out the stains
Literally about to jump into a project without washing first - thanks for the reminder ;)
+Annika Victoria glad to help! :)
Sad u should be verify on RUclips (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀)
Annika Victori
Love all your tips and tricks. They're extremely helpful to me as I'm learning the ins and out of sewing.
If your fabric is warped, you can square the ends, fold lengthwise and match & sew all edges - the washing action will help to bring it back into shape.
I always machine wash and dry all my fabric before sewing because whatever it is going to "do" I want it to happen before I sew my garment (don't know how many times something got thrown in the washer by mistake and this way I don't have to worry) - if it doesn't pass that test I use it for lap quilts - if it is a special fabric I do the same but with the utmost care
After I wash my fabric I press it. Then I fold it using the selvages as guide then hang it on a thick tubular plastic hanger to prevent wrinkles.
What a great idea. I'm going to look for a tube to do this too. Tfs. DD
I'm confused, so I should zig zag the opposite of the selvedge before I wash to prevent shredding? Only use the selvedge to find the grain line?
There are so many helpful little tips and tricks in this video. 😊
What do I do to find out the fabric content if there's no information tag on it? Most fabrics store in my local market do not have fabric content/care information tags and I just do anything. Is there any way to test them at home to know their contents?
I read online that someone cuts their fabric with pinking shears ( zig zag scissors ) before washing. That sounds less labour intensive than sewing a zig-zag to me. I don't know if they cut the selvedge edges though. I haven't done this myself, so can't say if it works.
If it's a color like deep red and you base stitch it around the edges, won't it bleed into the folds?
Omigoodness I need that vintage pattern fabric on top of the stack where can I find it?! Thanks in advance and thanks for the video!
I bought some from joanns last year.
+Rose Manupello yes, my mom picked it up at joann's. It's a specialty cotton, I think
+Rose Manupello It's available at Spotlight in Melbourne Australia if that helps you at all
It's so sad they do not deliver to the world, only USA & Canada. Let's hope they start doing International deliveries very soon!
What beautiful fabric at the beginning of the video, can you tell me where you purchased it from?
JoAnn's but it was purchased a few years ago so I don't know if they still carry it.
Professor Pincushion Thank you for your reply.
How many time is to wash fabrics before sewing? AATCC test method 135, shrinkage method is recommended to wash for 3 times at least.
Fabulous instructions.
Thank you
How would you identify fabrics that didn't come with any identifying information? I went to a closeout sale at a local fabric store a few weeks back and picked up yards and yards of different fabrics, none of which had any sort of fabric care labels on them (they just came in huge rolls). I went by the feel of the fabric and the print. Any suggestions? Also, and I just now thought of this, how do the contestants on Project Runway get away with not washing their fabrics? It always seems like they go straight to Mood and then straight back to the workroom to sew, with no in-between time for fabric prep. Thanks!
+bxrosie04 There might be other ways, but the burn test is the one I know about for identifying mystery fabrics. You can read about it here: www.threadsmagazine.com/item/31497/how-to-identify-fabrics-with-a-burn-test As for Project Runway. They're really just creating a garment to really be shown one time on the runway so, in that case, they don't really need to pretreat the fabric. If you only plan on wearing the garment one time, you can do the same ;)
+Professor Pincushion thank you very much! Just one more question: would it be ok to wash the fabric with Woolite detergent since it's made to be gentle?
+bxrosie04 you can. shampoo is just more gentle than woolite.
Thanks for these tips. I'm keeping this for reference purposes. Tfs. DD
I am making a rag quilt out of cotton fat quarter bundles and also cotton flannel and cotton batting. After watching your video I decided that I will definitely wash everything before I get started. However, do you think it’s a great idea that I cut out a (around 5” by 5”) square of each of my three fabrics and wash those first, and sew if there is any shrinkage or bleeding to the fabrics. If there is shrinkage or bleeding, I will take the whole of my fabrics and wash them. If there is no shrinkage or bleeding, then I will start seeing without washing first. What do you advice me?
sure, you can test on your fabric first. Just get an accurate measurement of whatever you cut so you can compare shrinkage after it comes through the wast.
Thanks for the tips!
Great video helped me tons
I've had mine wrinkle, twist, and fray
If I machine wash some wool in order to shrink it, can I then sew a skirt with it? Will it continue to shrink every time I wash it afterwards?
+Jen Stosser wool is a tricky fabric! Here's one way that a lot of people like to precare it before cutting out their pieces: off-the-cuff-style.blogspot.com/2010/08/tutorial-pre-shrink-woolfast-and-easy.html It could still shrink after you create the garment so maybe gently wash it in cold water and dry flat. good luck!
I'm a beginner who has mever prewashed fabric necause I've mostly made pencil pouches and 2 circle slirts my girls only need for Halloween this year. Is shampoo necessary or is my gain detergent okay? If not how much shampoo do I use for 1 yard of plaid 100% cotton?
I've never used shampoo. I just throw my fabric in with my regular load of laundry unless the directions have more specific care instructions. It just depends on the fabric.
You're my hero :)
Would Woollite be good for machine and/or hand wash, instead of detergent or shampoo?
+Jennifer Kim woolite is more gentle than detergent but shampoo is even gentler than that :)
top tip, dont accidentally put your black leather gloves in the same washing machine as your red cotton........luckily a second wash took out the stains
+blondechi yikes! yeah, red dye has been my nemesis more than once in the wash. :(
My washing machine only lets me do HOT washes aaaaaaaggggghhhhh.
yikes. I'm sorry