Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Allergies & Washing Linty Jelly Rolls >

Allergies & Washing Linty Jelly Rolls

Allergies & Washing Linty Jelly Rolls

Old 07-06-2010, 12:40 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Ginakra's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio (Eastern Suburbs)
Posts: 40
Default

I have terrible allergies, am just getting started in quilting, and it seems something in some fabrics, either the lint, dust or chemicals, really gets to me. I bought a couple of jelly rolls from an online store, and they arrived Friday afternoon. They were so "linty" that the bunnies inside the bag, and on the yardage stuck in there with it, were the size you'd find under your fridge. I'm sure I inhaled some of the "lint" while I was peeking in the bag. Well, by Friday night I knew I was in trouble, and for the next two days I was so sick I could barely function. I'm still not feeling well. :(

So I need some advice, you kind and smart quilters :). Is there any way I can pre-wash and dry these without ruining the width of the strip? Has anyone pre-washed a jelly rolll? Or is it a disaster waiting to happen and I should just send them back? My first yardage pre-washing experience did not go well, and I learned some tips, but cannot use them with these strips.

I will probably *have* to dry them, because I can't let clothes dry on a rack, the tiny amount of mold/mildew that forms in those short hours gets to me too. I have one of those sweater racks for my dryer, I thought I'd lie the strips on those for cool drying, instead of tumbling them. I will also have to wash them in warm water in the sink to try and get rid of whatever it is in there that's making me sick. Do you think they'll be ok?

I spent $50 on the jelly rolls and I'd like to hear any experiences or thoughts. I don't want to ruin them by pre-washing. I'd rather just return them.

Does anyone else have problems with fabrics, especially linty jelly rolls?

Thanks in advance!
Ginakra is offline  
Old 07-06-2010, 12:47 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
LovinMySoldier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 833
Default

If you washed them in the sink like you were planning and then put them on your drying racks they probably will be ok. You might try one or two strips of different fabric (incase you decide to send the jelly rolls back) and see how they handle but I bet you will be fine. When they tumble in the dryer that is the biggest problem. They tend to shred all up especially since both raw edges are so close to each other. Good Luck. Jelly rolls are a lot of fun. Hopefully you can get them dust free so you can play.
LovinMySoldier is offline  
Old 07-06-2010, 12:51 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
sewcrafty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 3,877
Default

If you have a lingerie bag you could put them in there. That way they wouldn't get bounced around the washer as bad. Then toss the whole thing in the dryer.
sewcrafty is offline  
Old 07-06-2010, 01:01 PM
  #4  
Super Member
 
noveltyjunkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: 53 degrees North
Posts: 1,679
Default

If they affected you that badly, I'd send them back. Handwashing will expose you to the allergen much more than peeking in the bag.
noveltyjunkie is offline  
Old 07-06-2010, 01:01 PM
  #5  
Power Poster
 
erstan947's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 12,166
Default

You might try wearing a mask until you get them washed and dry or inlist a friend to do this task for you.
erstan947 is offline  
Old 07-06-2010, 01:17 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
EasyPeezy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,449
Default

Sorry to hear what happened to you. If I were you, I'd return them.
That's the problem with jelly rolls, they are very linty. I love using JR but I
also have to clean my machine twice as much. I've never washed them but
I do starch the strips heavily before sewing. I think washing would just
ruin them.
EasyPeezy is offline  
Old 07-06-2010, 01:37 PM
  #7  
Power Poster
 
BellaBoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
Default

I would wear a resp. mask and shake them strip by strip outside. Hang the strip in the outside air and let them air out any fumes. Sometimes my eyes tear up in certain fabric stores from the concentration of sizing and dye fumes in the air.
BellaBoo is offline  
Old 07-06-2010, 01:37 PM
  #8  
Super Member
 
quiltinghere's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PROFESSIONAL Longarm Quilter NW Indiana
Posts: 3,400
Default

If I had that type of allergy to anything - I'd avoid it at all costs. Perhaps you'll have to buy yardage (even 1/3yard) and cut your own strips - or participate in a strip swap that requires swappers to wash first.

Good luck!
quiltinghere is offline  
Old 07-06-2010, 01:42 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,453
Default

i would only hand wash, gently..very gently. and then put on a rack and put a fan on them maybe.
with your allergies, i am not sure i would deal with any fabric at all!
watterstide is offline  
Old 07-06-2010, 01:48 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
mlaceruby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Somerset PA
Posts: 719
Default

Are you sure it isn't the chemicals you are having a reaction to?
I know the fabric cutting makes alot of dust, but you would have dust when you cut them also.
Have you had reactions to other fabrics or whilein the fabric store?
I woudl send them back or if you really want to keep them try throwing them in a lingerie bag and do the fluff cycle of the dryer- this will get rid of the lint and dust.
if you still have a problem with them it is the chemicals.
And if you have this bad of reactions you may want to get another hobby.
It's not good for you to keep exposing your self
mlaceruby is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rvsfan
Main
3
06-16-2015 06:20 AM
sarahkatequilts
Main
10
08-22-2013 01:37 PM
davidwent
Main
58
01-15-2011 11:51 AM
Gerbie
Main
67
09-18-2010 03:31 PM
Mamagus
Main
28
10-20-2008 12:22 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter