Allergies & Washing Linty Jelly Rolls
#11
Has your specialist suggested a custom resp. mask for you? A co worker I use to work with had to wear one and it wasn't uncomfortable for her to wear when she needed it. I know there must be much nicer ones made now.
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,653
If it's just this batch of fabric that's making you react so strongly - just return it.
If it's batiks, it probably wouldn't shrink much, if at all.
I washed some 2.5 inch cut strips that were not batiks and now they are 2.25 - 2.357 inches wide. (I think it was one of the so-called "better" brands, at that)
If it's batiks, it probably wouldn't shrink much, if at all.
I washed some 2.5 inch cut strips that were not batiks and now they are 2.25 - 2.357 inches wide. (I think it was one of the so-called "better" brands, at that)
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: chicago, IL
Posts: 9,589
Originally Posted by noveltyjunkie
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.
#14
I purchased a Moda jelly roll 3 weeks ago and I was so surprised by the large balls of lint. I didn't expect that. Those lint balls went everywhere. I was concerned about how much was getting inside my sewing machine. If I buy another jelly roll, I'm opening it outside and shaking it out real good before I do anything with it.
I would suggest hand washing the jelly roll or just soaking it in the sink. I would not put the strips through the washer even if you have a lingerie bag to put them in. I believe that is what will stretch and alter the shape of the strips. You'll still get a huge mess and that would be money wasted. If you put them in the dryer, they would be ok in a lingerie bag. The washer has an agitator, the dryer does not.
In the future when you wash & dry yardage, try washing and drying on delicate. You only want to wash out the sizing. Take the fabric out of the dryer while it is still a little damp. Then fold the fabric like it came off the bolt and iron it while it is damp. That will help to remove those terrible wrinkles due to washing.
I wish you luck with the fabric.
I would suggest hand washing the jelly roll or just soaking it in the sink. I would not put the strips through the washer even if you have a lingerie bag to put them in. I believe that is what will stretch and alter the shape of the strips. You'll still get a huge mess and that would be money wasted. If you put them in the dryer, they would be ok in a lingerie bag. The washer has an agitator, the dryer does not.
In the future when you wash & dry yardage, try washing and drying on delicate. You only want to wash out the sizing. Take the fabric out of the dryer while it is still a little damp. Then fold the fabric like it came off the bolt and iron it while it is damp. That will help to remove those terrible wrinkles due to washing.
I wish you luck with the fabric.
#17
Thanks for the replies and tips so far, everyone :) To answer some of the questions:
I don't have reactions to all fabric nor all stores. My Hobby Lobby seemed fine enough, as did Hancock's, but Joann makes me sick every time I walk in there. I'm thinking most of my problem is the airborne lint/dust. So far, no rashes or itchiness from touching fabrics. This weekend, I got really fuzzy-headed, dizzy, congested, and fatigued. This is normal for me allergy-wise. I am worried that cutting fabric is going to be a problem. If so, then I got a LOT of selling "quilting stuff" on ebay to do.
If I avoided everything that made me feel sick, I'd be the girl in the bubble. ;) I also have fibromyalgia so cutting strips is almost as heinous as the allergy thing. Hence the waffling on whether to wash or return...if I could cut strips without problems, then I wouldn't have thought twice about returning the jelly rolls. However, if they are going to be off-size when I'm done washing, there's no question on returning them, for sure.
The jelly rolls I got are Moda Hunky Dory, is that the brand that shrank on you, bearisgray?
Thanks all :)
I don't have reactions to all fabric nor all stores. My Hobby Lobby seemed fine enough, as did Hancock's, but Joann makes me sick every time I walk in there. I'm thinking most of my problem is the airborne lint/dust. So far, no rashes or itchiness from touching fabrics. This weekend, I got really fuzzy-headed, dizzy, congested, and fatigued. This is normal for me allergy-wise. I am worried that cutting fabric is going to be a problem. If so, then I got a LOT of selling "quilting stuff" on ebay to do.
If I avoided everything that made me feel sick, I'd be the girl in the bubble. ;) I also have fibromyalgia so cutting strips is almost as heinous as the allergy thing. Hence the waffling on whether to wash or return...if I could cut strips without problems, then I wouldn't have thought twice about returning the jelly rolls. However, if they are going to be off-size when I'm done washing, there's no question on returning them, for sure.
The jelly rolls I got are Moda Hunky Dory, is that the brand that shrank on you, bearisgray?
Thanks all :)
#18
Wow, lots of replies while I was writing, thanks all of you.
I thought I'd have hubby go outside and dunk the rolls in a bucket of water to eliminate the airborne stuff, then transfer inside to the sink. I do wear a mask for things,I was just surprised by the amount of dust/lint balls in there this time!
I've read that in the books too, that you shouldn't wash, but I have had to ignore that for so many things due to my allergies and most things come out fine, however, with most things I'm not worried about losing 1/4" from shrinkage so this is totally different! Thought I'd ask if anyone has any real experience. I'll send them back if there is a good chance of them shrinking.
Looks like that might be the safest thing to do.
I thought I'd have hubby go outside and dunk the rolls in a bucket of water to eliminate the airborne stuff, then transfer inside to the sink. I do wear a mask for things,I was just surprised by the amount of dust/lint balls in there this time!
I've read that in the books too, that you shouldn't wash, but I have had to ignore that for so many things due to my allergies and most things come out fine, however, with most things I'm not worried about losing 1/4" from shrinkage so this is totally different! Thought I'd ask if anyone has any real experience. I'll send them back if there is a good chance of them shrinking.
Looks like that might be the safest thing to do.
#19
If you have those kind of allergies, I bet you have a good vacuum with a good hepa filter?? I think the Jelly rolls are particularly linty because of the pinking dies that they cut them with (the zigzag edges) I would try to, while they are still in a roll, vacuum each side really well. I bring mine out on the front porch and bang them against the railing, which sounds weird, but it gets some of the fluff off.
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