Originally Posted by grammyp
Do you pre-wash your fabric? I had to start because some of the chemicals were really bothering my hands. When they got really bad I had to put Vaseline on and cover with white gloves at night. It has gotten better since I started washing my fabrics, but if I am so lucky as to get to sew for several days in a row, they still get really dry.
FYI, some of the chemicals used for permanent press are formaldehyde, and we all know the dangers of that. There were years back in the 1970's that I could not go into a fabric store without getting an extreme sore throat from all the off gassing formaldehyde. It's better now, but I am with you, wash those fabrics. I've heard glycerine helps.