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But frustrated with all the "gentle wash" fabrics... (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 10/17/13 6:17 PM ET
I am ABSURDLY proud of my self control! I walked out with NOTHING!!!
Although I have to admit there were so many cute fabrics I haven't seen at the other JoAnn near me...
This one is in a mall, but it's really quite big! (Near the Wheaton metro stop, FWIW DMVers.) I have been collecting fabric to make things to sell on Etsy in an attempt to cover the cost of my cat's vet bills, and I saw several things I really liked.....but I didn't buy any, not yet. Gotta make sure what I'm making actually sells first. XD;;
Regardless. I got really way excited. AND all the folks working there were super nice and sweet and it made me happy x3
BUT the thing that particularly struck me as I was browsing is the fact that so much of the fabric there needs to be washed on gentle. I don't wash my stuff on gentle because it isn't always the best way to wash things. But why is all the fabric there gentle cycle only?!? Do they really think we're baby-ing all the fabric that we buy, or that we aren't making things that can withstand it? Or is it the quality of the fabric is so precarious that the FABRIC can't stand to be washed on a normal cycle? Opines/thoughts?
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Although I have to admit there were so many cute fabrics I haven't seen at the other JoAnn near me...
This one is in a mall, but it's really quite big! (Near the Wheaton metro stop, FWIW DMVers.) I have been collecting fabric to make things to sell on Etsy in an attempt to cover the cost of my cat's vet bills, and I saw several things I really liked.....but I didn't buy any, not yet. Gotta make sure what I'm making actually sells first. XD;; Regardless. I got really way excited. AND all the folks working there were super nice and sweet and it made me happy x3
BUT the thing that particularly struck me as I was browsing is the fact that so much of the fabric there needs to be washed on gentle. I don't wash my stuff on gentle because it isn't always the best way to wash things. But why is all the fabric there gentle cycle only?!? Do they really think we're baby-ing all the fabric that we buy, or that we aren't making things that can withstand it? Or is it the quality of the fabric is so precarious that the FABRIC can't stand to be washed on a normal cycle? Opines/thoughts?
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I'll try anything once :)
SM: Pfaff Performance 5.2; Brother LS2125-i; 1929 Singer 99k; 1956 Singer 15-125; Singer SewHandy
Serger: Babylock Acclaim; Janome 7034D
9/1/19: Meowied!
Sewed my veil, and Doggo's bowtie and ring bag.
SM: Pfaff Performance 5.2; Brother LS2125-i; 1929 Singer 99k; 1956 Singer 15-125; Singer SewHandy
Serger: Babylock Acclaim; Janome 7034D
9/1/19: Meowied!
Sewed my veil, and Doggo's bowtie and ring bag.
Posted on: 10/17/13 7:04 PM ET
I am not clear what wash on gentle means. It is washable or it is not. I would think temperature is more a factor than gentle or normal cycle. I would look at the fabric content and of course, when in doubt, test wash. I usually wash and dry my fabrics a little harder than I will actually wash the garment. I want to know up front if there will be problems.
Have you noticed that a lot of JA fabrics are 42" instead of 44-45"
Have you noticed that a lot of JA fabrics are 42" instead of 44-45"
Posted on: 10/17/13 7:12 PM ET
In reply to KathySews
Yes, I try to do the same. I'll wash most of what I buy on hot and then my default is to wash things on warm. But sometimes I get nervous and only wash and dry on warm rather than hot. And I would think the dryer would do more damage than the washer!!
I HAVE noticed that lots of their fabric is 42". Did you also notice a lot of their stuff is 55" instead of 58" or 60"??
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I HAVE noticed that lots of their fabric is 42". Did you also notice a lot of their stuff is 55" instead of 58" or 60"??
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I'll try anything once :)
SM: Pfaff Performance 5.2; Brother LS2125-i; 1929 Singer 99k; 1956 Singer 15-125; Singer SewHandy
Serger: Babylock Acclaim; Janome 7034D
9/1/19: Meowied!
Sewed my veil, and Doggo's bowtie and ring bag.
SM: Pfaff Performance 5.2; Brother LS2125-i; 1929 Singer 99k; 1956 Singer 15-125; Singer SewHandy
Serger: Babylock Acclaim; Janome 7034D
9/1/19: Meowied!
Sewed my veil, and Doggo's bowtie and ring bag.
Posted on: 10/17/13 7:15 PM ET
I machine wash almost everything using cold water at the laundromat-and there is only ONE cycle at the laundromat ( and it ain't gentle or delicate
).
If the fabric doesn't hold up-well, at least I found out before I wasted valuable sewing time.
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).If the fabric doesn't hold up-well, at least I found out before I wasted valuable sewing time.
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My decisions are based on my conscience, not my wallet.
Posted on: 10/17/13 7:17 PM ET
JoAnn has no control over the manufacturing of the fabric. Most likely their buyer has to purchase in huge lots of this and that.
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
Posted on: 10/17/13 7:21 PM ET
In reply to HanPanda
Joanns' to me, is a store constantly in flux. Either it's with their stock (lots of fleece, lots of crafts, little fabric--then the opposite), or it's with their size of fabric (a quilting fat quarter is not a true fat quarter according to Joanns'--it's a "quarter Flat" which could mean any size other than 18x22") So it's no surprise to me that they are shrinking their bolt widths as well.
Now as to the "gentle wash thing"--I'm of two camps--Either it's a CYA (Cover Your South-end-facing-North), and/or the fabric is of such poor quality that it will shrink like the dickens if you wash it on anything else. I've seen Joann's quality go downhill for several years, so it's one of those things you have to keep up on.
If you really like the 58" widths, I suggest you purchase online. And if you're one of those who has to feel the fabric, then I suggest getting a subscription to a swatch service. This way, you can see and feel the swatches while still in your jammies and save gas and frustration as well.
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Now as to the "gentle wash thing"--I'm of two camps--Either it's a CYA (Cover Your South-end-facing-North), and/or the fabric is of such poor quality that it will shrink like the dickens if you wash it on anything else. I've seen Joann's quality go downhill for several years, so it's one of those things you have to keep up on.
If you really like the 58" widths, I suggest you purchase online. And if you're one of those who has to feel the fabric, then I suggest getting a subscription to a swatch service. This way, you can see and feel the swatches while still in your jammies and save gas and frustration as well.
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"Play the cards you are dealt, but choose who is sitting at the table"..AARP magazine
SEE MY ETSY SHOP HERE: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuntMaymesAttic
My blog: http://auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com/
SEE MY ETSY SHOP HERE: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuntMaymesAttic
My blog: http://auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com/
Posted on: 10/18/13 7:13 AM ET
I've purchased denim from JoAnn's and it was wonderful. Then, I went back and purchased denim with the same fabric content, washed it TWICE before sewing and now it shrinks a little more every time I wash the garment I made.
I seldom purchase fabric from JoAnn's and am fortunate to have several other fabric stores to shop at. Yes, I've noticed their fabric width is smaller on some bolts also. Have to really be careful and hopeful when shopping at JoAnn's.
Mostly it's just not worth the risk of putting time and money into their products. I'd rather support a local store that gives good customer service and quality products.

I seldom purchase fabric from JoAnn's and am fortunate to have several other fabric stores to shop at. Yes, I've noticed their fabric width is smaller on some bolts also. Have to really be careful and hopeful when shopping at JoAnn's.
Mostly it's just not worth the risk of putting time and money into their products. I'd rather support a local store that gives good customer service and quality products.
Posted on: 10/18/13 7:44 AM ET
The thing that is also quite new that drives me nuts is the end of the bolt saying "Do not iron"! This is on regular cotton fabric. Now how are you supposed to sew on it if you can't press it? I asked the clerk and she just shrugged and said she had never noticed that warning. Big help!
Posted on: 10/18/13 9:45 PM ET
In reply to sewdoggie22
I make a lot of thing out of Denim. For anything wearable I wash it 5 times in hot water and dry it as I normally would. Doing this on all different kinds of denim I've purchased has worked great. Very little, if any, shrinkage after doing this.
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People never care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Posted on: 10/19/13 0:15 AM ET
I was in JoAnn's today to pick up my framed art and get some zippers and possibly pants fabric. Everything I liked said to hand wash and lay flat to dry or dry clean! Seriously? I ended up settling for some 100% cotton and later wished I had just waited and ordered online from somewhere else. And I also have noticed how narrow their fabrics are lately, so you have to buy more. Even the sale section of castaways still on bolts were at the least $9.00 per yard, which is not all that great a bargain for fabric they are trying to get rid of. I wish my Hancock's had not closed down years ago. I miss them and now all I have is JoAnn's or online.
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Sewing keeps me from falling apart at the seams!
Bernina 1008, Brother SB4138, Brother 1034D, Janome Coverpro 900CPX
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8538/albums
Bernina 1008, Brother SB4138, Brother 1034D, Janome Coverpro 900CPX
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8538/albums
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