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Member since 1/27/05
Posts: 290
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Posted on: 11/24/07 1:14 PM ET
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!
  
Member since 12/14/06
Posts: 2044
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Posted on: 11/24/07 1:22 PM ET
I'm not an expert, but I have Sandra Betzina's book, More Fabric Savvy. She says preshrinking is not necessary.
Ruth
  
Member since 1/26/03
Posts: 3678
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Posted on: 11/24/07 1:23 PM ET
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.
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Buy the best and you only cry once.

  
Member since 2/19/04
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Posted on: 11/24/07 1:46 PM ET
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.
  
Member since 8/7/07
Posts: 371
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Posted on: 11/24/07 1:53 PM ET
In reply to frame
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
  
Member since 1/27/05
Posts: 290
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Posted on: 11/24/07 2:15 PM ET
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
  
Member since 12/3/06
Posts: 10072
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Posted on: 11/24/07 3:57 PM ET
In reply to Jeannie W.
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.
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 10/27/05
Posts: 5976
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Posted on: 11/24/07 5:00 PM ET
In reply to Jeannie W.
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.

  
Member since 3/7/06
Posts: 270
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2 Replies
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Posted on: 11/24/07 7:18 PM ET
In reply to Jeannie W.
Always use powder detergent and never liquid.
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 11/24/07 7:29 PM ET
In reply to Jeannie W.
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.
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Elona
  
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