ahrizel
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Date: 12/23/12 1:33 AM I picked up some cotton duck fabric to make a tote bag. I prewashed and dried the fabric. After the dryer the fabric was very wrinkled. When I ironed it not only the did the wrinkles not come out mostly, but most of them wrinkles got a shiny effect over them. I rewashed the fabric and decided to try ironing it dry, thinking that may help. Nope, still have shiny wrinkles. The fabric looks horrible! Any suggestions, since I was going to use this today to make a Christmas present. Do I need to run out this afternoon to get different fabric, or is there anything I can do to get rid of the problem?
Mary
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Elona
 
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Date: 12/23/12 12:44 PM How frustrating for you!
I'm afraid you will have to buy different fabric, because it sounds as though what you have cannot be salvaged by ordinary means. |
Rita K
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Date: 12/23/12 4:55 PM I too have had this happen & I have no answers for you. I think it is the quality of the fabric or convass. I have a tote bag from years ago that washes like a dream & I have wanted to make ones that are like that. I hope someone here has the answer! |
GlButterfly
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Date: 12/23/12 5:11 PM Would it help if you were to take it out of the dryer while still wet, with just the excess removed? Hang it on a line or a shower rod to dry the rest of the way. Maybe you can then iron it before it is completely dry.
I can't say that this will work for your fabric,, but it does for many fabrics. ------
I have not yet begun to procrastinate |
ahrizel
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Date: 12/23/12 5:46 PM I did try pressing it straight out of the washer wet, same results. I can't even blame Joann's for this, it's from Hobby Lobby. And I will never get it again:( I'm still doing the tote, there are outside pockets that cover most of the canvas. I've used twill from Joann's to make this pattern several times and it worked very well. This wasn't much cheaper then that, and certainly wasn't worth the money difference. I HATE when I get crappy fabric. I've had more then one project ruined by junky fabric it makes me nuts. This looks bad but at least it's in one piece. I've got to do a stock up run of some of the fabrics I use often at the better stores. In my case that means Fabric Mart or Pa Fabric outlet. Oh well, I'll see how the tote looks when I finish it. I'll have to post a picture, I should finish it later this evening. Thanks for the help folks.
Mary |
Karla Kizer
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Date: 12/23/12 5:56 PM I have never had good luck with the cotton duck I can find on the market; my results have always been similar to yours, ahrizel. Lands End must have a much better source.
If I were planning a tote bag right now, I'd shop for a pretty upholstery fabric in the home dec dept. ------
“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.
Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?
Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
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Judy Kski
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Date: 12/23/12 6:12 PM The Duck Cloth sold at Jo-Ann Fabrics states "Dry Clean Only" on the end of the bolt, but I always machine wash mine. It does produce some wrinkles, but nothing that I can't work around. I've used it for the inside of tote bags as a lining so it wasn't an issue. Hopefully you are able to work around those wrinkles.
-- Edited on 12/23/12 6:55 PM -- ------
Judy |
SandiMacD
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Date: 12/24/12 7:17 AM Well that's scary. I made boys pants from cotton duck - just wash and dry and wear. Now wondering if it was a fluke.
It acts as if some poly was in it with the shine and all. How dreadful. ------
re-living my youth through sewing... |
Chris Bryant
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Member since 8/24/02
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1 member likes this. You can make a dog bed for your local SPCA out of it. I buy a fair amount of duck for that purpose and there is an amazing difference in some of it. I had some really great brown that I bought from my Walmart before it gave up on bolt fabric. I bought 10 yards of it. I currently have two cuts that are waiting to be made up into dog beds, one of them from Hancock's which washed and ironed up nicely and the other from Joann's which is didn't wash up like I would have liked. Both of them are almost the same color as I had forgotten I had already purchased what I wanted because it got buried in the sewing room. But in the end, the dogs don't care, they just like something soft to sleep on.
Anyway, dog beds are my favorite thing to do with anything that is worn out or doesn't measure up. I buy things at yard and estate sales and ask my friends for any clothing that is cotton and is worn out. I have made some great dog bed covers out of old jeans that I cut into strips and sew like a quilt.
Chris |
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