Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 32 of 33 of 3

Do you need to pre-wash fleece? not sure-to wash or not to before cutting...
Jeannie W. Advanced Beginner NJ USA Member since 1/27/05 Posts: 290	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/24/07 1:14 PM I just picked up some pretty penguin fleece and will be making some hoodies for 3 DDs. Do I need to pre-wash fleece? It doesn't shrink or does it? Thanks all you fabric experts!
RMJ   Intermediate CA USA Member since 12/14/06 Posts: 422	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/24/07 1:22 PM I'm not an expert, but I have Sandra Betzina's book, More Fabric Savvy. She says preshrinking is not necessary. Ruth
Stitchology Intermediate MD USA Member since 1/26/03 Posts: 3678	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/24/07 1:23 PM I prewash to see how it might change with washing. Sometimes one or both sides get clumpy and that influences how, or even whether, I want to cut it. ------ Buy the best and you only cry once.
frame Advanced USA Member since 2/19/04 Posts: 2039	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/24/07 1:46 PM Pre-washing isn't just about pre-shrinking. It's about sewing with clean fabric, it's about removing any chemicals that may have been added to the fabric (especially synthetics) during creation. That fabric has been sitting in back rooms, sitting on tables getting dusty, being handled by numerous people. You're going to wash the hoodies before your daughters wear them right? If you wash the fabric and zippers and notions before you sew, you're ahead of the game. ------ "framed" was taken
greco Expert/Couture AL USA Member since 8/7/07 Posts: 371	Login to reply to this post In reply to frame Like this post Date: 11/24/07 1:53 PM Quote: Linscee Pre-washing isn't just about pre-shrinking. It's about sewing with clean fabric, it's about removing any chemicals that may have been added to the fabric (especially synthetics) during creation. That fabric has been sitting in back rooms, sitting on tables getting dusty, being handled by numerous people. You're going to wash the hoodies before your daughters wear them right? If you wash the fabric and zippers and notions before you sew, you're ahead of the game. absolutely correct in all aspects. Nothings worse than investing time and money and finding out it was a waste. And now a days there is a common concern of parasites and other nasties coming in on imported EVERYTHING and pretty much everything is imported now. But I have worked in factories here that challenge common sense in the hygiene sector as well. SO, my rule of thumb is, if you wash your fruit and veggies before you eat them not knowing where they came from or who touched them, I wash my textiles for the same reasons with the added thought that if they don't wash up well enough to sew I've not wasted valuable time. JF
Jeannie W. Advanced Beginner NJ USA Member since 1/27/05 Posts: 290	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/24/07 2:15 PM Good advice! I'm pre-washing, it just makes sense now that you've explained. I was just thinking about the shrinking not about the dust and dirt, etc... Thanks for the good advice Jeannie
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4982	Login to reply to this post In reply to Jeannie W. Like this post Date: 11/24/07 3:57 PM Quote: Jeannie W. I just picked up some pretty penguin fleece and will be making some hoodies for 3 DDs. Do I need to pre-wash fleece? It doesn't shrink or does it? Thanks all you fabric experts! Pre wash & machine dry for all of the above reasons and to remove the some of the excess lint. You will need to clean the bobbin case and under the throat plate of the machine (sewing, embroidery &/or serger) after completing each garment.
ccris Intermediate Member since 10/27/05 Posts: 4165	Login to reply to this post In reply to Jeannie W. Like this post Date: 11/24/07 5:00 PM It's not supposed to shrink, but someone here at PR a while back said she washed fleece and it shrunk. I'd wash it before sewing, just to be on the safe side, and to remove any chemical residue. Here's a thread that talks about fleece, but it's not the one I had in mind originally. This is a better one anyway. Good luck.
carolhope Advanced MA USA Member since 3/7/06 Posts: 109	Login to reply to this post In reply to Jeannie W. 1 member likes this. Date: 11/24/07 7:18 PM Always use powder detergent and never liquid.
Elona   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7401	Login to reply to this post In reply to Jeannie W. Like this post Date: 11/24/07 7:29 PM I've made a lot of things of various weights of fleece--but always with Malden Mills' high quality stuff--and never washed it first. Their fabric never shrinks, stinks, or behaves badly for me. However, if I were buying fleece at the local Joann's or making garments for sweet little kids, I'd wash it first.

Go to Page: 1 of 32 of 33 of 3

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.