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!

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.

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.

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.

You might try wearing a mask until you get them washed and dry or inlist a friend to do this task for you.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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