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Tip did not work for me

Tip did not work for me

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Old 07-06-2015, 08:10 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by sewbeadit View Post
Okay Nai Nai, you got me going on these balls. How many do you use and how large did you make them?

I have used the corner snip myself and yes it frays but the fray is shorter and usually doesn't wad up with the rest of the fabric you are doing and doesn't make a big ball, so it does work for that, but won't stop fraying itself.
- So if the snipped corner made the cut ends fray less ,then the excessive fraying that shows here would only make me worry about using it. When I cut sqs. for a 4 in. finish I would like to feel they won't fray to 3 3/4 . Before I wash fabrics I stitch the ends together at both 1/4 and at 1/2 in. from the edge. If the fray goes past the 1/4 I don't use it in a quilt. Who wants to put in that much work to have it fray past the seams. And this method also shows the true grain and if the fabric will retain it's shape.
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Old 07-06-2015, 08:23 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by ghostrider View Post
I think the next time I have something that needs to be prewashed I'll run an experiment. I'll wash half using a regular full cycle and half using a gentle cycle, no 'adjustments' to the fabric itself (no serging, straight stitching, seaming, zig-zagging, pleating, pinning, corner clipping, block cutting, pinking, overcasting, end joining, etc).

For half the regular cycle batch, I'll trim loose threads and shake out the fabric pre-drying. The other half will go in the dryer 'as is' right out of the washer. Same two cases for the gentle cycle batch.

All pieces will start out with the same measurements and will be cut from the same yardage. Photos will be taken of each step along the way and final measurements will be noted.

The working hypothesis: Machine washing in a gentle cycle followed by trimming threads and shaking out the fabric before machine drying results in no knotting, less fraying, and fewer wrinkles.

What a great reason to go buy 4 yards of fabric!! It's all in the name of Science!
I will be looking for your results should be interesting I really enjoying everyones comments to this thread...this is how we learn

Judy in Phx, AZ
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Old 07-06-2015, 10:44 AM
  #43  
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"The more dryer balls you have in a load, the shorter the drying time will be."
I tried 150 of these in my drier and the washcloth that i was able to fit in with them, well it never dried. Not enough room to tumble.

tim in san jose
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Old 07-06-2015, 10:58 AM
  #44  
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I tried it also. The other day I bought some fabric about 8 yards, (3 pieces). I thought since I have old thread in my one machine, I'll stitch the ends. Not too bad and really didn't take long. Did it while the washer filled up. not sure what was in the fabric but put it in hot water on large load and double rinse. Through in some A&H washing soda. Got it at Hancocks and it wasn't that great of a sale. I sneezed and the furbabies sneezed.
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Old 07-06-2015, 11:43 AM
  #45  
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For years I have serged or zig-zaged the raw edge, & it does work.
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Old 07-06-2015, 12:00 PM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by Deb watkins View Post
So, when I get another set of blades, those pinking blades really do work? I wondered about that!

Heads up! Pinking blades will shred your mat!

Use your old non-healing mat. Don't we all start out "cheap" and eventually buy a good mat?

Pinked edges have another perk: if you have a mix of washed/unwashed fabric in your stash, you can easily store "by colour" and instantly know if a piece of fabric needs to be washed when you start pulling fabric for a new project.

I do try to wash fabric as it comes in the door. But life gets in the way of my best intentions.
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Old 07-06-2015, 12:13 PM
  #47  
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Honestly, I can't be bothered snipping, serging, pinking, etc. my yardage before washing . . . lol

I simply place my fabric in a pillow case or mesh washing bag, close it up and toss it into the washer on my gentlest cycle. With quality, quilt shop fabric, almost never a single fray. If the fabric is a bit cheaper, then I will might see a tiny bit of fraying, but not much. Easy peasy!
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Old 07-06-2015, 03:49 PM
  #48  
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I used one skein of Paton's Wool Roving Yarn and made 4 balls. After felting they are about 3 inches in diameter.

Nai Nai
St. Paul
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Old 07-07-2015, 03:54 AM
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If you just toss a pair of sneakers in the dryer with your fabric, wouldn't they 'stomp out' wrinkles just as well as the 'new fangled' dryer balls or 'old school' tennis balls? LOL
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Old 07-07-2015, 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by ghostrider View Post
If you just toss a pair of sneakers in the dryer with your fabric, wouldn't they 'stomp out' wrinkles just as well as the 'new fangled' dryer balls or 'old school' tennis balls? LOL
My sneakers and my nice clean fabric don't and won't ever mix. Yuck.
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