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SUZAG 08-07-2011 03:44 PM

I would love to make things and sell them but I am afraid that the smoke smell would linger. I would pre-wash my fabric and then wash again when finished and put into a large zip lock bag. I've heard storing things in plastic bags isn't a good thing to do either. Should I just give up on my ideas and only do things for myself?

Murphy 08-07-2011 03:48 PM

Smoke does linger and sensitive noses would be aware of it. Allergy suffers would be able to tell as well. Perhaps the smoker can smoke outside? Hope you work this out (smile).

blueangel 08-07-2011 03:50 PM

The smell of smoke lingers in fabric. I think I would just make things for myself.

ckcowl 08-07-2011 03:51 PM

can you keep your fabrics/stuff in a room that the smoker is not allowed to smoke in? that would help-
and washing/sealing up would be ok- it is long term storage that is not recommended in plastic because of the risk of moisture getting in/mildew happening.
if you take your plastic bags outside-and air them-let the stuff out on occassion- and becareful during really humid times you should be ok.
another option would be to take to laundramat right before going to where ever you are planning to sell---then everything is fresh and clean for the sale.
depends i guess on how you are trying to sell- whether its like booths set up at festivals/markets- or if you are trying to direct sell online- if that's the case- wash each item and package it to go when it is sold-
where there's a will there's always a way :)

Amythyst02 08-07-2011 03:51 PM

You know I smoke, and I do smoke inside, its too darn hot outside, but.. I smoke in a completely different room than where I sew. I am sure there are folks that do smoke (although yes I know we should not) that would love to see what you have. As long as your honest and let folks know you do smoke I do not see why you could not try to sell things.

MissSandra 08-07-2011 03:55 PM

I have a smoker in the house, my daughter washes everything i send, i never hear of her doing it more than once.

Lostn51 08-07-2011 03:59 PM

My BIL smokes and when my wife goes to see her sister she comes home and everything reeks of smoke. It just about knocks me over when she walks into the house and opens up her bags. Even the clothes that she did not get out of the suitcase stink up the house so we have to wash everything that she took. He is the only one in the family that has a bad habit left all the others passed away from lung cancer and heart attacks. :roll:

All I know is if you do not smoke you can pick up on the lingering smells very quickly.

Billy

cathyvv 08-07-2011 04:00 PM

Well, I hate to say this, but I would not knowingly purchase from a smoker or a pet owner.

Am allergic to cigarette smoke, dogs, and my DH is allergic to cats.

No doubt others don't care one way or another. Don't give up your idea to make/sell things until you've tried it to see how it works out for you.

bkb 08-07-2011 04:05 PM

people have trouble because I smoke and I have trouble from peoples perfume potpurrie and other scent makers guess each person has to do what they have to do . out law and tax all perfumes!!!!!!

leatheflea 08-07-2011 04:05 PM

I think you should always follow your dreams! Give it a try! Your customers will let you know if they are dissatisfied. Never let someone else tell you not to follow your dream because they dont agree. Do your best to get the smell from the fabrics. good luck!

Lostn51 08-07-2011 04:14 PM


Originally Posted by bkb
people have trouble because I smoke and I have trouble from peoples perfume potpurrie and other scent makers guess each person has to do what they have to do . out law and tax all perfumes!!!!!!

Funny you should mention Potpourri, one of the deacons at my church worked for a potpourri factory here in town and he and his truck/tools always smelled. His wife would always tell us that his girlfriend needed to cut back on her perfume. :lol:

Billy

LisaGibbs 08-07-2011 04:14 PM

From the sound of it here most people wash fabric anyway when they get it so I wouldn't worry about it. Stuff you buy at the store sometimes stinks and we bring them home and wash it. Follow your dreams. Frebreeze it before you put it in the box and be who you are. People who are seriously sensitive always ask.

Lisa

CristyK1 08-07-2011 04:15 PM

If you are selling in person someone who does not smoke will smell it and than if they buy it they will know how to get rid of the smell. If you are selling on line list that it is coming from a smokers and pet owner's home. by being warned if you buy it there is no recourse.

Cristy

Originally Posted by SUZAG
I would love to make things and sell them but I am afraid that the smoke smell would linger. I would pre-wash my fabric and then wash again when finished and put into a large zip lock bag. I've heard storing things in plastic bags isn't a good thing to do either. Should I just give up on my ideas and only do things for myself?


Ramona Byrd 08-07-2011 04:21 PM

I have had my migraines more or less under control for a lot of years, but even today I can not linger in the soap/cleanser/bleach/candle areas of grocery stores. I can smell it as soon as I walk in a few feet, so I know what I want and go straight to it and then leave. Don't have that trouble with CostCo for some reason, could be because it's such a big place, possibly more powerful fans.
No way on earth would I ever want another series of migraines like I used to have. And, unfortunately, can not visit certain family members for more than an hour or so. Much better to get a motel room and meet at restaurants and shopping areas.

When I give something away, I wash it and immediately stick it in a plastic bag fresh out of the dryer. I put on it a sign that says "Sewed by a non-smoking cat" which gets it said.
I don't smoke and do have 2 cats.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter 08-07-2011 04:24 PM

I hate scents. I even use unscented laundry soap. That being said, I'd buy from you if I liked what you were selling. Every time I buy fabric, I end up washing them.

jeaninmaine 08-07-2011 04:35 PM

Keep your fabric and sewing equipment in a room with a door where the cat and the smoker won't go. That way you can go in there and sew without worrying about cat hair or smoke.

wolfkitty 08-07-2011 04:48 PM

Be upfront and honest about it, let them know about your efforts to wash and package, and people can decide for themselves what they want to do! Good luck!

Snorky Lvs2Quilt 08-07-2011 05:19 PM

A friend of mine, who is a quilt instructor in Northern California, sent my son a surfing themed quilt before he headed off to college years ago. Her package was delivered to our home and honestly we had a very hard time opening it as it wreaked with smoke so badly. After opening it, I had to wash the quilt several times in baking soda and vinegar and hang it outside to air dry in order to get the smell out. He brought it home several more times to wash and dry before he said the smell was gone. Sorry but I would not buy anything that smelled of smoke.

hopetoquilt 08-07-2011 05:21 PM

Why not make one quilt/bag/table runner (whatever product you decided to sell), clean it as if you ready to sell it and then take it to a few very honest people who would let you know if it had lingering smells... that way you haven't just given up or conversely invested alot of time and money into a product that might not sell.

jeaninmaine 08-07-2011 05:24 PM


Originally Posted by hopetoquilt
Why not make one quilt/bag/table runner (whatever product you decided to sell), clean it as if you ready to sell it and then take it to a few very honest people who would let you know if it had lingering smells... that way you haven't just given up or conversely invested alot of time and money into a product that might not sell.

Make sure they're nonsmokers.

marknfran 08-07-2011 05:35 PM


Originally Posted by leatheflea
I think you should always follow your dreams! Give it a try! Your customers will let you know if they are dissatisfied. Never let someone else tell you not to follow your dream because they dont agree. Do your best to get the smell from the fabrics. good luck!

I agree that you must try. In advertising your items, just let them know you smoke and have cats. Some people are more sensitive than others. We have no cats inside and my husband has his own smoking room. But, if I ever sell anything, I will let everyone know. During my shopping trips I have to avoid the candle and laundry isles due to the smells bring on a wheezing (I have asthma). Whenever I buy items, they are always washed and I just add soda to my laundry soap to wash; seems to work for me. Good Luck! :thumbup:

RUSewing 08-07-2011 05:42 PM

Even if the smoker does not go in the sewing room, the smell would travel through the heating and AC vents or small cracks around the door or enter everytime the door opens.

I bought some fabric online from a non-smoker, no pets, BUT what she did have was a wood burning stove. Smelled like a campout! :) Pass the marshmallows!

Sewfine 08-07-2011 06:07 PM

I have a smoker in my house also. I do not let them smoke in my sewing room and I wash everything and rinse with fabric softener.

JulieR 08-07-2011 06:24 PM

There's always something going to bother somebody and as long as you're honest, you don't have to be worried or feel bad about it. I'm allergic to most detergents and fabric softeners, so if it's ever going to touch my skin (including a bag or hat) I have to wash it a couple of times.

However, it is only MY responsibility to look out for my allergies, NOT the seller's, and it has never stopped me from buying something I liked.

If others feel differently then they can purchase from someone else, right?

Annaquilts 08-07-2011 06:31 PM

Sadly enough I have a similar experience.



Originally Posted by Lostn51
My BIL smokes and when my wife goes to see her sister she comes home and everything reeks of smoke. It just about knocks me over when she walks into the house and opens up her bags. Even the clothes that she did not get out of the suitcase stink up the house so we have to wash everything that she took. He is the only one in the family that has a bad habit left all the others passed away from lung cancer and heart attacks. :roll:

All I know is if you do not smoke you can pick up on the lingering smells very quickly.

Billy


clynns 08-07-2011 06:39 PM

I smoked for almost 30 years. I agree. I would not knowingly buy from someone who smokes. Depending on how much smoking is done around the fabric, it may be impossible to get out. There are certain types of batting and fabric that holds the smell. No one has smoked in my house in almost 7 years. Even then, it wasn't done in the house. Yes, just my car on the way to and from work. Never did it at home. Since my heart surgery in 2007 and blood clot in my lungs I can't be around smokers. I can't breathe. For me, it's a matter or life or death.

BellaBoo 08-07-2011 06:54 PM

I believe every adult has the right to smoke but not around me or bring the smell to my home. I threw several blocks from a block swap away because they smelled of cigarette smoke. I wasn't about to waste my time washing the smell out. Just be honest and say from a smoker home.

margecam52 08-07-2011 07:09 PM

I think you should go for it...set aside a smoke/pet free area and do all your work there.
I am a non smoker, really bothered (asthma attacks) by some perfumes...it's not how much, it's the brand/ingredients I guess...My BIL smokes here on occasion...when he drives up...the sewing leaves the room.
We have outdoor cats & 2 dogs...they are not in the quilt/sewing area...cats just adopted us one day.

I do quilting for others...I take tops from smokers and pet owners...and perfume wearers...which is the worst for me. I lay the top/backing over the quilter and spray them with frebreeze...and it actually takes out 99% of the wrinkles from shipping... I rarely have a problem with the odors.

Would I buy from a smoker, pet owner, perfume wearer? Yes, as long as the item is washable.

One other thing...don't expect to get rich selling your crafts...most will look, say they can do that and walk away...even though they can't. Ignore them ...they are probably going to not buy a single item from any crafter.
Marge

Lv2sew2011 08-07-2011 07:15 PM


Originally Posted by LisaGibbs
From the sound of it here most people wash fabric anyway when they get it so I wouldn't worry about it. Stuff you buy at the store stinks and we bring them home and wash it. Follow your dreams. Frebreeze it before you put it in the box and be who you are. People who are seriously sensitive always ask.

Lisa

Your right, I've bought some clothing and it had a bad smell, never was able to get the smell out of the clothing so in the trash it went.

You can also wash and let drip dry outside I'm sure that would help too! As far as the cat, I don't have a cat but I do have dogs and I keep a lint remover handy when I'm swamping...

angiecub 08-07-2011 07:33 PM


Originally Posted by SUZAG
I would love to make things and sell them but I am afraid that the smoke smell would linger. I would pre-wash my fabric and then wash again when finished and put into a large zip lock bag. I've heard storing things in plastic bags isn't a good thing to do either. Should I just give up on my ideas and only do things for myself?

After you are done and wash it, store it in the garage or somewhere where no one smokes, and make sure you transport it in a car that is a non-smoking car. You can always air it out on a clothesline too. All these tips are from a former smoker...

sammygirlqt 08-07-2011 08:51 PM

I agree with Julie R....people are responsible to look after their own allergies so be honest, up front and they buyer will decide if they want to buy. Good luck.

Rosyhf 08-07-2011 09:02 PM

In the olden days men used to have a smoking room and they would wear their smoking jackets and I guess that was for a reason. If you smoke and you have a room you can smoke in, good for you. Cats and smoke don't sell many items lol. I have three little dogs and Teddy likes to rummage through my scraps when they hit the floor, he is the only one that does that and it would just be on scaps that would remain with me...they all just had their weekly baths and shaves and clean bedding. I keep them very clean.

Anyway, my son is here for a couple months he smokes and so does my nephew and my sister when they visit from England....they smoke on the patio, outside. if it's cold they smoke in the garage, I make no exception, no smoke in the house ever.

BluegrassGurl 08-07-2011 09:03 PM

I am sensitive to scents and recently was gifted with a used air purifier. It works fabulously! My husband and I love it.

You might want to check around for used ones and try one out. We will probably not be without one now.

gale 08-07-2011 10:18 PM

When I've bought things from garage sales that smell like smoke, no amount of washing would get it all the way out. I can smell it from across the room. Same goes for the perfume, potpourri, etc mentioned above so I guess my nose is sensitive all around. I also use unscented detergent and no fabric softener.

Something to try would be bio-kleen bac out. It smells like citrus and you can add it to wash to remove smells from fabrics. I use it for some wash but I didn't have it back when I bought the smoke smelling things so I don't know if it would have worked on that.

wanda lou 08-07-2011 10:19 PM

I don't smoke and I hate the smell of smoke but I say give it try maybe no one will notice and if they do oh well.
Smokers buy pretty things also.

kiffie2413 08-07-2011 10:29 PM

Hi, I just have to say loved the "Sewed by a non-smoking cat"...

As to the original question, we don't smoke, and our beloved cat died 3 years ago this coming Labor day... :-(. I would think if you wish to make a quilt for others, you should do it! Then would make sure and state "smoking, and/or pets", just like I state "no smoking, and/or no pets"...that way everything is up front...I grew up in home with smokers, and I always hated it...and with the allergies of my dh and our son when he lived at home, there was/is never any smoking in our house. That being said, we make the rules for our house, just like others make the rules for theirs...

gale 08-07-2011 10:38 PM


Originally Posted by wanda lou
I don't smoke and I hate the smell of smoke but I say give it try maybe no one will notice and if they do oh well.
Smokers buy pretty things also.

Maybe no one will notice?? If they do "oh well"?? Really? I guess if she's selling in person that would work but if someone buys something online, is not told it's from a smoker's home, and gets it and it smells like smoke, they probably will not be a repeat customer and won't recommend her items to anyone. That's bad business. :thumbdown:

gale 08-07-2011 10:42 PM


Originally Posted by Ramona Byrd
I have had my migraines more or less under control for a lot of years, but even today I can not linger in the soap/cleanser/bleach/candle areas of grocery stores. I can smell it as soon as I walk in a few feet, so I know what I want and go straight to it and then leave.

I have the same problem with the soap/detergent aisles AND I can't go in the aisle with the rubbermaid and sterilite storage. The plastic smell gives me a headache or sometimes a migraine every time. I have to literally hold my breath when we walk past those aisles.

MelodyWB 08-07-2011 11:03 PM

I'm a smoker and have a dog..I also make thngs that sell from time to time..I've never had anyone complain about it..however I do wash what's going out and package it with a dryer sheet when it leaves me..also smoke inside..because I'm in Arizona and it's too hot not too..but my sewing room is upstairs and I smoke in the kitchen area only..with the exhaust fan on !!

gale 08-07-2011 11:41 PM


Originally Posted by MelodyWB
I'm a smoker and have a dog..I also make thngs that sell from time to time..I've never had anyone complain about it..however I do wash what's going out and package it with a dryer sheet when it leaves me..also smoke inside..because I'm in Arizona and it's too hot not too..but my sewing room is upstairs and I smoke in the kitchen area only..with the exhaust fan on !!

But do you disclose that information? To me, a dryer sheet would be only slightly less of a problem than smoke smell but still a huge problem. I bought some bounce sheets to try for repelling mosquitoes. I couldn't stand the smell so I put the box of dryer sheets in a ziploc bag and put it in the garage. I hated to throw it away. :roll: For a couple of weeks I could barely stand to go in the garage because all I could smell were those dryer sheets. I finally just threw them away. I can't even shop at goodwill or other resale shops or at garage sales because of the strong smell of fabric softener.

btw the mosquitoes don't seem to mind the smell.


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