Last spring I believe I saw a thread on here about how to tell if fabric is 100 percent cotton. It involved fraying the cut edge just a bit but I don't remember the detail. Would like to go back to Walmart and look over the $5 table if I can figure this out. Anybody know this trick?

Don't know about the fraying edge, but the burn test I have heard and tried.

Light it on fire if it burns it is cotton if it melts it is a blend with polyester

Maybe someone else knows another way

I only know the burn test too. I am gonna watch this and see if there is another way of telling.

The burn test is the only way I know either....although I don't think that Walmart will be too thrill with you lighting fabric in the store

:lol:

That

Nope, they probably wouldn't like that! But what else are you going to do if there is no fabric content label??? lol

I'll bet the employees are lighting it up so they can see what they might want to buy.

LOL Maybe that is why they are closing so many of the abric departments...LOL too many ladies lighting up in that area :wink:

The 'scrunch test', this is not 100% to be certain but a good guide non the less, pure cotton does crease a lot when scrunched up and held tightly in the hand, Rayon does this too but Rayon is usually a little thinner to the feel, than cotton. Poly/cotton does not scrunch up so much, it bounces back a little better, also Poly/cottons usually look the same on the back as the front, where as cottons are usually printed on the surface and on the back you can see the white of the fabric in places. These tests are a good guide when you can't 'burn down the shop' and after a while you can tell the difference quite well. The 'burn test' is what they use in the textile industry to be 100% sure, my Dad was a textile chemist and this is the method they were taught to use.

Gal

The burn test is the definitive test but you can also scrunch it up in your hand. A 100% cotton will wrinkle, a poly cotton won't.

cotton also burns with only a little smoke if any and the ash - if any - is very soft and powdery. The ash, if no fire is seen with cotton, cools down quickly.

polyesters and nylons burn with black smoke - they also leave a hard "crispy" ash. Sometimes it "drips" while burning. The residue also stays hot longer than cotton residue. One can still get burned with this residue, even if the fire is out.

I'm giggling here picturing all these nice quilters in Walmart with lighters in their hands. That would cause quite a stir

You could probably ask them to cut you a few samples and take them outside...

Thanks for all the info! Gal, you had an inside track on this. I'm glad you shared with us.

bearisgrey to the rescue!

Thanks for the giggle gals. I can see it now... :-o

Oh, and I forgot to say that only a few strands of thread are required from both 'warp and weft' of the fabric, you really do not need much at all, but be sure to collect from both 'warp and weft!'

Gal

My husband swears it looks like I'm performing rituals on the back porch when I'm doing burn tests.

Seriously here, when I have burnt small scraps of material, the poly/cotton has a more chemical smell comared to the cotton burning. And yes poly/cotton does make black smoke.

Having my coffee & giggling.....I can see this now! Front line paper "She said this is what the ladies said to do from the Quilting Board"

It is kind of funny, when I think of it.

There's gonna be a hot time in the old WalMart tonite!!

Thanks folks. I'm off to Walmart with my lighter.

But Officer, I was just testing fabric content!!! Really, I wasn't going to burn the store down....... :wink:LOL

True - I only cut a piece about 1/4 inch wide and an inch long.

I have my little "set-up" - a burning candle, a metal ash tray, a glass of water - in case some sparks get out of hand, my tweezers to hold the fabric into the flame, and a small scissors to cut the scrap off the fabric in question.

I do this in our cement laundry tubs - but a metal cake pan will also work to hold the things.

I do the same thing on the back porch (cement) with tweezers/forceps, candle, and small pan of water. I set the candle on a piece of foil in case I drop anything. I never do this on a windy day.

I also keep a log book with a swatch of the tested fabric, color of the flame, what the smell was as it burned, observations of how it burned (did it melt, burn cleanly, make little bead, etc.), texture of the residue/ash, and I use a wide piece of tape to collect a sample of the ash/residue to add to the chart.

This way if I ever forget that particular fabric and have more, I can go back to my log book. You can take the "fairy" out of the lab, but you can't remove the nerd from the fairy.

OK, I did not get arrested. Actually there was such a severe thunderstorm going on, all the associates were hauling buckets and mops to catch leaks from the roof. Anyway, I pulled a few threads loose from the end, lit them with the lighter, got a hard residue, figured it was poly blended. Did this with four of the prints I liked. Then went to the regular rack and got some nice stuff, VIP and Cranston for $2 a yard. I guess it doesn't say much for WalMart security, but I do have guardian angels that keep me out of trouble. Bottom line is, it's a great buy for clothing construction, but not a great deal for quilting.

I store my blends separately from my cottons. That way I don't get confused when I get ready to sew.

I store separately now that I've identified them. But I've got fabric that I have no idea WHY I bought it. I also have to say that since I'm new to quilting (not sewing) that I didn't care about the cotton or not debate when I purchased.

Wow - you are thorough!

My sorting is quite primitive - apparently all cotton - or NOT apparently all cotton

I had noticed all the above, but it never occurred to me to keep a record of all the things.

Usually my basement smells kind of "strong" for a day or so after one of my "testing/burning" sessions.

The main thing I need to remember when I'm in my "lab" - is to put the flame out before leaving the area. I'm not worried about burning anything down when it's in the cement tub - I'm worried about my cat deciding to stroll into the area and getting hurt.

I know that people find the way my mind works a little scary (remember I do things like this all the time...its what I do). My husband just laughs because he's known me for 30 years now.

I do my experimenting outside on the porch in case of nasty smells. Some things just don't have a great odor when burned. Bearsisgray, reminding everyone to be sure the flame (an the burning fabric) is completely out is a great reminder. I always ensure my materials are completely cool after working with them. By the way, always make sure you have your hair pulled out of the way. Hair burns really well.

That '0dour' is a health hazard if you breath it in! That is if the fabric is of synthetic content, less so if it is a natural fiber like cotton or silk but all the same it is not recommended that you breath it in, burning in an enclosed space without ventilation would not be advisable.

Gal

Especially when it is long.

Aaaaa! I can't believe you really did it in the store! You are one daredevil lady for sure. Too funny! I am really glad you didn't get arrested. And isn't it nice that there was all that extra water in the store just in case?

Thanks ladies, I did a search for this question as I wanted to determine some fabrics in my stash.

So does silk burn like cotton?