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Member since 8/13/14
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Posted on: 2/22/15 4:06 PM ET
Hello!

I am looking into getting 9 yards of cotton-silk blend and I definitely think it needs to be pre-washed. My home machine won't cut it for this - do you think I can use an industrial laundry machine for 9 yards?

http://nyfashioncenterfabrics.com/products/silk-cotton-fabric
this is the link to the fabric I'm considering - it has care and tips listed but mainly I'm concerned about the length of fabric and a laundrymat.

Would a dry cleaner work better?

Thanks!
  
Member since 7/1/07
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Posted on: 2/22/15 4:41 PM ET
I bought a lovely cotton silk blend from Michael's Fabrics. I just serged the edges & washed & dried as usual for a shirt. Nine yards of a shirt weight blend should be fine in the washer. I can wash up to 6 yards of 10-12oz denim in my regular top loader.
  
Member since 5/2/09
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Posted on: 2/22/15 5:26 PM ET
At my house, and with that fabric at over $60 a yard, it would not be seeing the inside of my washing machine or dryer, or a even ever a Laundry matt, actually.

What color are you getting ? As I think that might make a big difference too.

If I wanted some of it for a blouse or a dress, and wanted to be able to hand wash it in the sink, all the time later, with a little nice hair shampoo, and then hang up to dry by it's self, and if it was light or pastel color, (like white or cream or light blue or such) then I would try that with a scrap of it first, as I think that might work fine. Before and after making something of it. If instead if it was a dark color or bright color like black, navy, red or brown, I probably would not even plan on washing it by hand in the sink that way too often or ever even, just since I think it might loose a lot of color dye or fade or spot when doing that, and even if not at first, probably after enough times of it.

If for curtains or something like that, I think I would just use as is, and then when the time came later, if I ever had to wash it and not dry clean it, I would just do cold water in the sink, hang up to dry, then iron and hope for the best if I did not wish to pay for dry cleaning, just since that would not have to happen all that often.

It's also not plain weave fabric, it looks like a twill weave to me, and if the cotton part of it shrinks up, it might get stiffer and not so flexible and soft and bendable anymore, so washing could even change the hand and feel of it too.

I don't see anyplace there at the URL that says care instructions or that they think you are going to toss it into the clothes washing machine and clothes dryer either. I think they expect you not to do that probably.

Price and # of yards of sxomething, does count for me on that kind of stuff too, the same fabric if I paid lot less for it, or got it for free or such, then I would/might be more inclined to experiment with it, more instead.
-- Edited on 2/22/15 at 5:44 PM --
  
Member since 12/23/13
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Posted on: 2/22/15 5:41 PM ET
What do you plan to do use it for? I agree that at $60 a yard I wouldn't bring it to a laundromat esp the industrial machines often are used for greasy work clothes so I'd hate to ruin it by not knowing what was in the machine last. You could probably wash it in your bath tub if it won't fit in your home machine
  
Member since 7/1/07
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Posted on: 2/22/15 5:44 PM ET
In reply to Liamsmama
You are right. I wouldn't be washing $60/yd fabric either. I did not look at the link to price at all.
  
Member since 8/13/14
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Posted on: 2/22/15 8:08 PM ET
It's white for a wedding dress. I didn't consider someone using a laundry with greasy clothing but that makes sense! I could do it in the bath tub after testing a scrap.

My machine is a top loader, one of those energy efficient jobs.
  
Member since 9/7/10
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Posted on: 2/22/15 8:18 PM ET
I have swatches of that fabric...considering it for a project.

I would consider pre-treating a manageable piece in my front-loader. However, 9 yards is a lot to put somewhere to dry and I would not hang it, so I would take it to a reputable cleaners.
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Stash: 188 yds. @ 11.25.18
Bernina 560
Babylock Imagine
Babylock Coverstitch
  
Member since 9/18/02
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Posted on: 2/23/15 0:37 AM ET
You know that the fabric is suiting weight, not dress weight, right? One of its suggested uses is home dec, so unless this is a bridal suit or something very structured, you might want to rethink it.
-- Edited on 2/23/15 at 0:40 AM --
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Debbie
Viking Sapphire 930, Babylock Evolution
  
Member since 10/6/11
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Posted on: 2/23/15 0:58 AM ET
In reply to EnyaNicole
Quote:
I am looking into getting 9 yards of cotton-silk blend and I definitely think it needs to be pre-washed


I was curious if you already received and examined a swatch of the fabric?
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-Catina
PaTTernHack.com
  
Member since 8/13/14
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Posted on: 2/23/15 8:00 AM ET
I've ordered the swatch so I should have it by the weekend!
  
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