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Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 30016
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Posted on: 7/20/09 8:06 PM ET
There's a big piece of fabric I've had for ages. I can't remember what it was in a former life, but I vaguely recall it was not garment fabric -- I think it was some sort of utility fabric from my mother's house, but I can't recall what it was intended for (curtain lining, maybe??).

It's very wide, and looks a bit like a silky linen, but is obviously not linen. It frays quite a lot at the edges, feels lovely to the touch, and get this -- IT DOES NOT BURN. I tried to identify it just now by setting a tiny piece of it on fire. No flame, no ash, no hard edge, no smell -- nothing. The edges got slightly black, but the black was completely soft (not even powdery) and had wiped off completely after a few minutes of gentle handling.

Amazing, eh? Any theories? I took a photo and will post it shortly.

-- Edited on 7/20/09 8:07 PM --
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my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
Member since 6/22/04
Posts: 4602
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Posted on: 7/20/09 8:08 PM ET
In reply to Vintage Joan
If it was intended for curtain lining perhaps it has a flame retardant coating?
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Liz

thefittinglife.blogspot.com
  
Member since 2/17/07
Posts: 2506
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Re: What kind of fabric doesnt burn? (posted on 7/20/09 8:36 PM ET)
Kevlar and Nomex won't burn, but I'd vote most likely flame resistant curtain fabric.
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A sewing machine is just a welder for textiles.
  
Member since 7/19/03
Posts: 3916
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Re: What kind of fabric doesnt burn? (posted on 7/20/09 9:15 PM ET)
fiberglass
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blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
  
Member since 9/2/03
Posts: 522
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Re: What kind of fabric doesnt burn? (posted on 7/20/09 11:17 PM ET)
I agree with fiberglass.
  
Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 30016
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Re: What kind of fabric doesnt burn? (posted on 7/21/09 0:35 AM ET)
Hmm, OK. Interesting. Although it doesn't look like the photos of fiberglass fabric that I find on line.

Next question: it's surprisingly nice -- lots of body and a lovely silky texture. So... is there any reason it couldn't be used for a garment?
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my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
Member since 2/19/04
Posts: 10120
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Posted on: 7/21/09 10:10 AM ET
In reply to Vintage Joan
Quote: Joan1954
So... is there any reason it couldn't be used for a garment?

Because it might contain fiberglass.
  
Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 30016
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Posted on: 7/21/09 10:17 AM ET
In reply to frame
Quote:
Quote: Joan1954
>>So... is there any reason it couldn't be used for a garment?<<
Because it might contain fiberglass.

I'm familiar with what fiberglass normally feels like, and although I'm not sure, I think this may be something else. I don't know why would it wash and dry so nicely and remain so silky and pretty if it did contain fiberglass. Fiberglass, in my experience, is quite nasty and thready.

Since I'm not sure, I likely won't use it for a garment now -- maybe a curtain. But it is pretty lovely stuff.


-- Edited on 7/21/09 10:29 AM --
------
my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
Member since 7/16/07
Posts: 30016
Send Message
Posted on: 7/21/09 12:42 PM ET
Here's a photo of this fabric, by the way:


-- Edited on 7/21/09 1:17 PM --
------
my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
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