Dryer Fabric Softener Sheets for String Quilts
05-15-2013, 07:06 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Posts: 605
I never have used dryer sheets available for anything else since I discovered how great they are for cleaning the bathroom. With the sheet and plain water I can remove grandkid's toothpaste mess, hubby's greasy hand gunk, polish the faucet and even remove toilet ring. Bonus, makes the bathroom smell nice and is much faster than anything else I have ever tried.
05-15-2013, 07:18 AM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,876
I always use unscented sheets but my first thought was the smell, especially if the quilt was going to be a gift. I have a real hard time with scents, I usually call them odors!! LOL
05-15-2013, 08:13 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 903
We use only unscented - I don't use them for anything else actually, but just thought I would mention that they are readily available without any scent at all. Once I moved away from scented laundry detergent or dryer sheets due to suspected allergy issues, I will never go back as now the scented stuff seems overwhelming to me.
05-15-2013, 10:43 AM
#26
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
Since we've moved and need to use the community washer and dryer, my DH doesn't want me using dryer sheets, as they do leave a residue. However, when I had my own dryer, I would use the dryer sheet at least twice. I don't see a problem with using "used" dryer sheets for string piecing, as it would not be as thick as using fabric. Just my opinion.
05-15-2013, 12:42 PM
#27
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Midwest City, OK
Posts: 143
Why not buy the really inexpensive ($1.19 yd) muslin to use for foundation piecing and then you don't have to worry about it. I read an article about recycling the dryer sheets for foundation piecing and the writer said that they had use the sheets several years ago for foundation piecing and the white strips ended up having a lot of yellow spots on them after the quilt was washed and dried. Also, a lot of people are allergic to the polyester fibers that come out of those sheets as they are washed and dried, especially children and older people. Also, in case of fire, anything with polyester fibers in it will melt instead of burn.
05-15-2013, 12:42 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 672
I fold used dryer sheets in 1/8 and touch lightly with a cool iron to flatten and then use them as leaders and enders. My needle seems to glide better and there is a huge saving of thread if you are doing much single item sewing (as opposed to chain piecing) and they are great in preventing the "ears" of triangles from disappearing down the needle hole and creating a jam or messed up pair of triangles from having "chewed up ears".
05-15-2013, 12:57 PM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maine-ly Florida
Posts: 3,926
We put dryer sheets in the family cottage here and there to keep the mice away in the winter when it's closed up. A relative does the same in her RV. It seems to work. The cottage smells nice too when we open up in the spring. I do use them in the dryer in the winter but rip them in half. I like the tip for bathroom cleanup.
05-15-2013, 01:15 PM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,050
I stopped using fabric softener of any sort many years ago because my older son is allergic, and more recently I have found other reasons to shun them:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...reener-laundry
You could get the cheapest, thinnest type of interfacing or muslin to use for foundation piecing, and it would have the added advantage that you can cut it to any size.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...reener-laundry
You could get the cheapest, thinnest type of interfacing or muslin to use for foundation piecing, and it would have the added advantage that you can cut it to any size.
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