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how to wash a jelly roll?!
ahrizel Beginner PA Member since 4/22/12 Posts: 300	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/31/12 10:56 AM I'm doing a jelly roll skirt and I had no idea how to prep the fabric. It seems to me I have 2 choices-sew the jelly roll section and finish the edges, then wash and hope it shrinks reasonable even. Or, put the strips in a lingerie bag and wash and dry, and hope the edges aren't premanently killed and hopelessly tangled. I picked up the rolls on clearance at Joann's. I have 2 of them, and one is more then enough to do the skirt, heck one is probably enough to do 2 skirts. But I'm open to suggestions on what to do for the prep. Any ideas are much appreciated. Mary
Cat n Bull   Advanced NC USA Member since 2/17/06 Posts: 2205	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/31/12 11:18 AM No need to pre-wash a jelly roll! They shrink very minimally. If you are worried about color bleeding, use color catchers for the first wash, and you'll be fine! ------ Cathryn
Maia B   Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 10/27/10 Posts: 3514	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 12/31/12 11:31 AM Cat is right. Do. Not. Wash. A Jelly Roll. Unless you like to cry. ------ 🌸 Plenty of machines, mostly Berninas 🌸
ahrizel Beginner PA Member since 4/22/12 Posts: 300	Login to reply to this post 9 members like this. Date: 12/31/12 1:41 PM I posted my request and like my typical impatience self, decided to act before waiting for your advice. I washed one of the jelly rolls in a pillowcase. You know with sewing, sometimes you get bad results and usually it's because of something you did wrong. You do it better next time and no problems. This is NOT one of those times. 45 minutes untangling the mess of strips. 25 minutes ironing and trimming the strips more. And the realization that I will have to trim the width of the strips to use them due to the fringing. I will never, ever do this again. I'm truly glad I have 2 of the same rolls, so the skirt will be able to be done. At least I learned my lesson on something cheap, they were less then 5 bucks. I also learned another important lesson-when you ask for advice wait for it before you act Oh well, another learning experience. Mary
Franksdottir   Intermediate Member since 4/25/08 Posts: 2529	Login to reply to this post In reply to ahrizel << Like this post Date: 12/31/12 9:20 PM I would never wash a jelly roll because all of the problems of washing yardage is magnified when washing small pieces. If you are worried that it will shrink and not fit I would make the jelly roll into fabric, zig-zag the edges, wash it by hand in the kitchen sink with color catchers, and then gently dry in the dryer. This is why quilts are so nice, they don't have to fit ladies' curves. ------ Barb
Franksdottir   Intermediate Member since 4/25/08 Posts: 2529	Login to reply to this post In reply to ahrizel << 1 member likes this. Date: 12/31/12 9:24 PM I just read your second post. I extend you my sympathies, but it is true that the most useful knowledge often comes from mistakes. ------ Barb
SandiMacD   Intermediate FL USA Member since 2/8/09 Posts: 1162	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/1/13 6:43 AM Thanks for this post. I had toyed around with the idea of jelly strips for my niece's skirt. I like the idea of serging all into a piece of fabric first. Then I can shrink it in washer before cutting out the pattern. I would not have thought about that way- so glad I am not ironing out my pre-washed strips! ------ re-living my youth through sewing...
HDWen   Advanced Beginner AZ USA Member since 12/26/11 Posts: 1402	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/1/13 12:19 PM Oh NO - so sorry to hear about the raveled mess! Jelly rolls made from good fabric, really don't shrink much! So far the only quilters cotton I've used that shrank a ton, was some cheap stuff from J's... Well thanks for posting your lesson learned in case other's are here ready to *Wash* and dry!! :-Debbie ------ I have great enthusium for sewing, but lack talent to be great. 2013
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 5223	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/1/13 1:11 PM If you feel the need to do this, especially with the dark colors. Do it by hand. I have washed small pieces in the washer by using the hand wash cycle and placing the pieces in a lingerie bag. ------ “I don’t give them Hell, I just tell the truth about them and they think it’s Hell.” — Harry Truman
ahrizel Beginner PA Member since 4/22/12 Posts: 300	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/2/13 6:25 PM Well, I had 2 jelly rolls. So I took the second, unwashed one. Sewed it together with 1/4 seams, then finished the edges with a zigzag seam to make a piece of fabric. Washed and dried the fabric I made. And got a disaster-several of the seams shredded open. Gotta love Joann's fabric, don't you Thanks goodness my favorite local quilt shop has a big sale going on. It won't take too much to make the stripwork skirt, I'll probably just use 4 different fabrics for the strips, and one fabric for the yoke, banding and shorts that coordinates. I'm glad the jelly rolls were clearance and half price, at least I only wasted a few bucks. They were bright colors and I thought they'd make a cute skirt, so much for that idea. At least what I get at the quilt store will hold together. Mary

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