Does a fabric stash have an expiration date?
01-06-2010, 04:45 PM
#31
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
I have some linen that came from my grandmother. She died when I was 2 and I am now 51. Turned it into a quilt and it behaved fabulously. Some of the older cottons were died with funky methods in the 70s and could bleed, so I would take extra care in washing them. But using them - not a problem.
01-06-2010, 05:13 PM
#32
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: mapleton,iowa
Posts: 303
i have a quilt my grandmother made it was made from scarps of material she used tyo make us pj's when we were little some of it is 50 pluse years old i still; use the quilt when the grand kids come my dad says he remebers som e of the blocks when he was young he is 79 so i hope it never expires it is faded and i have repaired some spots but is is as good as it ever was
01-06-2010, 05:18 PM
#33
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Idaho Falls
Posts: 1,907
Originally Posted by Bill'sBonBon
Originally Posted by LisaT
Seriously wondering this. I am cleaning out stuff because we just don't have room to keep things we don't use/need.
I'm having a hard time parting with some fabric but at the same time I'm wondering if it's going to be any good when I finally have the time to get to it. I'm thinking that will be in 13 years or so when my little one turns 18! :?
Thoughts?
I'm having a hard time parting with some fabric but at the same time I'm wondering if it's going to be any good when I finally have the time to get to it. I'm thinking that will be in 13 years or so when my little one turns 18! :?
Thoughts?
I have everything stored in one of those bags you use the vacume to suck all the air out and it makes it smaller. Then I have them in a drawer so they don't get light. The bags aren't too exspensive at walmart. Thats what I would do if I had material that old. My opinion, hope I gave you an idea.
BillsBonBon
01-06-2010, 06:21 PM
#34
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Mernda, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 121
DON'T throw any fabric out as you will use it eventually, and the one you can't find in the future is the one you threw out in the past, but in saying that if you HAVE to throw some out give it to a fellow quilter or maybe a guild to use for charity quilts :-)
01-06-2010, 06:34 PM
#35
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Idaho Falls
Posts: 1,907
Originally Posted by rdem
DON'T throw any fabric out as you will use it eventually, and the one you can't find in the future is the one you threw out in the past, but in saying that if you HAVE to throw some out give it to a fellow quilter or maybe a guild to use for charity quilts :-)
01-06-2010, 07:04 PM
#36
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,688
Originally Posted by omak
What do you all really think about the vacuum bags?
01-06-2010, 07:06 PM
#37
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Belle Isle, Florida
Posts: 6,668
Some people collect vintage fabric. That stuff can be 60+ years old. If it's cotton and never used or laundered, it seems to be in good shape. You can tell right away if it's rotten. It breaks apart when you sew or press.
01-06-2010, 07:58 PM
#39
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Central Washington State
Posts: 5,997
One of the ways I test fabric to see if it will stand up to quilting is to hold it really tight between my two hands, then take a finger and try to rip it from the center out ... (if the fabric is rotten at any point, it will be easier to do than put it through paper)
01-06-2010, 08:02 PM
#40
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Central Washington State
Posts: 5,997
Originally Posted by ghostrider
Originally Posted by omak
What do you all really think about the vacuum bags?
Recycled boxes are a problem for long term storage also, since it takes more process and chemical to recycle cardboard and paper than it took to make the original product.
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