Clothing from quilting cotton..is it ok?
08-06-2012, 09:26 AM
#21
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,407
I've noticed some cottons wrinkle very little - and others are almost worse than linens for rumpling.
I use the scrunch test when I buy fabrics - I grab a handful of it and scrunch it up hard in my hand - then release it and see how well it does - or doesn't - release wrinkles.
I use the scrunch test when I buy fabrics - I grab a handful of it and scrunch it up hard in my hand - then release it and see how well it does - or doesn't - release wrinkles.
08-06-2012, 09:49 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
There are only 2 reasons for not using quilting fabric for clothing. One - you hate ironing. Most cotton clothing needs pressing. If you avoid styles that use collars and long sleeves, probably not a problem. My Mom can't stand to see me in an unpressed apron, 
but it doesn't bother me in the least bit.
The second reason, as others have stated, are children's nightwear. The problem is not the cotton, but the design of the clothing. If you design the child's clothing to be body hugging with no frills, you make it safer.
Most flame retardants in children's nightwear washes out after 10-15 washings. It is the styling that reduced the number of burning injuries more than the fabric change. In most states, however, you cannot sell children's nightwear that you have made unless you use the stuff made specifically for children's nightwear (all poly). Way better choice than letting the kid sleep in oversized T-shirts (which are responsible for many burns today).
but it doesn't bother me in the least bit. The second reason, as others have stated, are children's nightwear. The problem is not the cotton, but the design of the clothing. If you design the child's clothing to be body hugging with no frills, you make it safer. Most flame retardants in children's nightwear washes out after 10-15 washings. It is the styling that reduced the number of burning injuries more than the fabric change. In most states, however, you cannot sell children's nightwear that you have made unless you use the stuff made specifically for children's nightwear (all poly). Way better choice than letting the kid sleep in oversized T-shirts (which are responsible for many burns today).
08-06-2012, 09:53 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
There are only 2 reasons for not using quilting fabric for clothing. One - you hate ironing. Most cotton clothing needs pressing. If you avoid styles that use collars and long sleeves, probably not a problem. My Mom can't stand to see me in an unpressed apron, but it doesn't bother me in the least bit. The second reason, as others have stated, are children's nightwear. The problem is not the cotton, but the design of the clothing. If you design the child's clothing to be body hugging with no frills, you make it safer.
Most flame retardants in children's nightwear washes out after 10-15 washings. It is the styling that reduced the number of burning injuries more than the fabric change. In most states, however, you cannot sell children's nightwear that you have made unless you use the stuff made specifically for children's nightwear (all poly). Way better choice than letting the kid sleep in oversized T-shirts (which are responsible for many burns today).
I am in the process of making some capris from quilting cotton. A couple of sewers have recommended using fabric or interfacing reinforcement for certain types of pockets because of their tendency to tear in thinner cotton fabric. I've decided to change my pocket style to one they use in men's bermuda shorts (it ends up in the waistband) to avoid that problem.
but it doesn't bother me in the least bit. The second reason, as others have stated, are children's nightwear. The problem is not the cotton, but the design of the clothing. If you design the child's clothing to be body hugging with no frills, you make it safer. Most flame retardants in children's nightwear washes out after 10-15 washings. It is the styling that reduced the number of burning injuries more than the fabric change. In most states, however, you cannot sell children's nightwear that you have made unless you use the stuff made specifically for children's nightwear (all poly). Way better choice than letting the kid sleep in oversized T-shirts (which are responsible for many burns today).
I am in the process of making some capris from quilting cotton. A couple of sewers have recommended using fabric or interfacing reinforcement for certain types of pockets because of their tendency to tear in thinner cotton fabric. I've decided to change my pocket style to one they use in men's bermuda shorts (it ends up in the waistband) to avoid that problem.
08-06-2012, 09:56 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,789
most of the novelty prints you see are on 100% cotton. I made jumpers/skirts from them for my own DDs years ago. now I make them for GD. Down side is the wrinkling, but if you are aware you can minimize wrinkles by taking it right out the dryer and hanging up.
08-06-2012, 10:21 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 5,896
Originally Posted by bearisgray
I've noticed some cottons wrinkle very little - and others are almost worse than linens for rumpling.
I use the scrunch test when I buy fabrics - I grab a handful of it and scrunch it up hard in my hand - then release it and see how well it does - or doesn't - release wrinkles.
I use the scrunch test when I buy fabrics - I grab a handful of it and scrunch it up hard in my hand - then release it and see how well it does - or doesn't - release wrinkles.
I verrrrry discreetly scrunch it, with my fingers.
08-06-2012, 10:24 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Holmen, WI
Posts: 6,459
Originally Posted by bearisgray
That's what we used to 'live in' - feed, flour, and sugar sacks were made of cotton!
I'm still not sure why 'not suitable for children's clothing' is stamped on some selvages of smooth, woven cottons.
I'm still not sure why 'not suitable for children's clothing' is stamped on some selvages of smooth, woven cottons.
I look at it this way, that cloth has held up in quilts for years so I would think it would be fine for kid's clothes.
08-06-2012, 10:26 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Holmen, WI
Posts: 6,459
Originally Posted by KalamaQuilts
from above: "I'm still not sure why 'not suitable for children's clothing' is stamped on some selvages of smooth, woven cottons."
They aren't fire retardant.
I made a couple sets of pillow cases from my stash and wasn't crazy about them. With lots of washing they have a tendency to look not so bright, and of course always need pressed (for me anyway)
I'm going to look for some kind of polycotton mix in the regular fabric stores next time I need something.
Daisy Kingdom pretty much based their marketing on how well their fabrics suited children's clothing.
They aren't fire retardant.
I made a couple sets of pillow cases from my stash and wasn't crazy about them. With lots of washing they have a tendency to look not so bright, and of course always need pressed (for me anyway)
I'm going to look for some kind of polycotton mix in the regular fabric stores next time I need something.
Daisy Kingdom pretty much based their marketing on how well their fabrics suited children's clothing.
08-06-2012, 12:19 PM
#29
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 13
"Not suitable for children's sleepwear" is included because the fabric is not treated to be fire resistant. Most children's pajamas, from what I know, are made to be a little more fitted, and treated with some sort of fire retardant (which then washes out over time, especially if you use dryer sheets) to help your child survive in case of fire.
That said, I use cottons to make PJ pants for my family all the time. Yes, they wrinkle, but they're PJ's. Nobody cares. (I don't make shirts because that's too much work when they can just wear a T-shirt which is more comfortable anyway.) If you want to make shorts or a cute little dress, I say go for it!
That said, I use cottons to make PJ pants for my family all the time. Yes, they wrinkle, but they're PJ's. Nobody cares. (I don't make shirts because that's too much work when they can just wear a T-shirt which is more comfortable anyway.) If you want to make shorts or a cute little dress, I say go for it!
08-06-2012, 12:28 PM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,397
My absolute Favorite Blouse Of All Time (yes, I capitalized that on purpose) is made from pale pink 100% cotton. It has to be 7-8 years old, is super soft, and is getting to the point where the seams are fraying and the underarm area is wearing so thin you can see through it. I just purchased some pink Moda Bella to make myself a new one.
I just purchased some pink Moda Bella to make myself a new one.
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