Have any of you had a problem with the very fine dust around your machine that is created by just sewing cotton fabric? Sometimes I cough and can't figure out what is causing it except that I sew so much more than I used to. The dust around my machine ( mostly on the sewing table) really builds up fast. I dust it down with a damp cloth, but it sure builds up fast. Have any of you noticed that is makes your throat scratchy? Thanks for your comments - I would like to think I'm not the only one.

This happens to me as well, so I keep my machine and table extra clean. When I feel that tickle start in my throat, I start clearing the dust/lint.

I never thought about it, we live on part of an old cattle ranch, no grass, so we have dust in abundance! Add to that our fireplace in the winter and our house is always dusty.

Since I have found out about 'Best Press', I use it on all my fabrics that are to be sewn unwashed. I find I don't have a problem with the dust on washed fabrics. I have asthma from many things and often I have to have Hubby come in to dust the floor and furniture before I use the room.

Thanks a lot for the suggestions - Maybe I will have to consider washing more of my fabrics before I sew them. My last project was a flannel rag quilt and it really created the dust. I wll also use starch more often - I do have some"Best Press"

Fabrics come with chemicals and dye on them so I assume that the lint and dust would also have those chemicals, too. I always wash my fabric before handling it much not only to get the chemicals out but to let it shrink if it's going to and bleed if it's going to. Then I press it with Mary Ellen's Best Press to give body back to the fabric. Sorry you ar coughing. My friend used fabric a while back that made her hands break out and blister like poison ivy.

Do you have a HEPA filter? Running one will filter the air fairly quickly. I also have alergies and it works well for me.

I use a lot of scraps, and when sorting for long periods of time, I get "lint lung". keep a glass of water handy.

Fabrics stored on open shelves collect a lot of dust. I take mine outdoors and give them a good shake before using them :D:D:D

Using polyester thread will reduce lint.

because of Covid, we purchased 3 home air cleaners and I took one to basement for use near the long arm. I really do notice a difference in how congested I feel after spending 3-4 hrs quilting.

I have a lot of dust here in Arizona because we are in a drought. My fabrics are in a closed cabinet so they are dust free, but there is a lot more to make up for it. I use cotton thread so I clean my bobbin area often. Hope you cough gets better. mabe you have to wear a mask when you are sewing.

I also have asthma and found using an inexpensive cool-mist humidifier helped tamp down the dust in my sewing room.

I also have asthma and allergies so I prewash all my fabrics and I limit the amount of Best Press or sizing I use. I also use polyester thread. I never sew fleece fabric and rarely use flannel.

With the disposable face masks being easy to find everywhere stock up. Cut off the back layer and the front will be enough to stop the lint. It will be light and weightless and easy to wear while sewing.
You'd be surprised at how many employees do this now to wear a mask all day.

I have used a knee high stocking and elasticized it round my vacuum hose and cleaned out the dust that way.

The original post was 10 years ago....

We are still breathing. LOL