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I washed my 6 fabrics in mesh bags to cut down on the raveling but they came out badly accordian-pleated and they raveled anyway.

My steam iron didn't completely get rid of those wrinkles. And there seams to be a lightening of the fabric along those creases (I would described it as looking like "scars" across the fabric). You can tell it's definitely not a part of the pattern.

I don't think I can use the smaller 1/3 yd pieces because they have a very muted pattern and are pretty much all one light color, so the scars show pretty badly on these. The 2.5 yd pieces are busier prints with more than one color and you'd be hard-pressed to see the scarring.

Would I have been better off sewing the raw edges together and making a tube before throwing the fabrics in the washer? Or should I hand-wash the fabric?

I prefer to buy extra fabric knowing they'll shrink and I'll have to cut off ravelled ends after washing. I want to give my fabrics plenty of space in the washer as well as the dryer so they don't get mashed together. I also don't dry mine completely. I take it out of the dryer when they're slightly damp so I can press those wrinkles out. If they're extremely wrinkled I wash and dry again. Spray sizing helps get out wrinkles also. The raw edges tend to tell me what's not cut evenly so doesn't bother me.

That is soooo distressing.

I do as Evelyn said. If I'm going to be using the fabric shortly, I don't completely dry them and then iron while they're still 'less dry'.

Something you can try. Spray the fabrics with water, sorta smooth them out and roll jellyroll fashion. Put them into a zip lock bag and in the fridge for a several hours, overnight in fact, 'til they're good and cold. Then iron. This is an old, old trick; in fact, was the way most ironing was done in the way back when but in towels not plastic bags. The water and cold seem to help the fibers smooth out.

Don't know what to say about the colors fading in spots. That does seem odd. Sounds more like color transfer than color being washed out. Try rewashing that fabric separately.

Everyone has an idea about how to prevent unravelling. I'm one of those that hopes for the best when I pre-wash; don't do anything before washing. One thing I do, is use the Gentle cycle so there's not as much agitation. Doesn't help you right now.

Hope you can save the one fabric.

If it were mine I'd experiment with one of the 1/3 yard "ruined" pieces. Put some warm water in the sink, put in the piece of fabric and swish it around, let it sit a few minutes, then drain the water. Then either roll it up in a towel or squeeze (don't wring) the excess water out of it, then put it into the dryer until it is almost dry. If it is permanent press fabric it should look pretty good at that point. In that case I'd let it air dry before pressing. OTOH if it still looks badly wrinkled I'd press it while it was still damp.

As for the what to do to the fabric before washing my preference is to finish (usually with a narrow two thread overlock via serger) the edges or else just wash by hand.

I use that vodka* spray using 16 oz of distilled water (water that has been boiled and left to cool) and 2 oz clear vodka* put into a spray bottle, shake well before using. Melts my most stubborn wrinkles! You can pre-spray to dampen and let sit a few moments and use additional spray while ironing with a steam iron if needed.

The color problem is probably caused by the nylon mesh rubbing against the fabric. I quit using those bags except with other nylon things. Nylon is very strong. I usually either stitch across the ends or use the pinking shears. I don't have any other ideas about how to fix the damage. Love the vodka spray! How do you keep from spraying it in your mouth?!

Did you (or someone else) happen to wash a load with bleach in the washer right before the fabric load? What detergent did you use?

I've had dark dye transfer accidentally to lighter fabrics in a wash cycle & leave a really odd and dark mottled look on the light fabric. Happened recently when a beige top got accidentally into a load of black pants. Wasn't a pretty sight when done. Thank goodness it was a hang-to-dry load & I didn't heat set anything by using the dryer. I just sprayed the top real well with Shout & immediately ran it with the load it was supposed to be in. The dye came out. Whew!

I do zig the edges if I'm going to be machine washing any fabric. Otherwise, I like to hand wash in the sink, so I can control the water temperature & watch for any bleeding.

I usually take hand-washed fabrics right to the ironing board, after rolling them in an old towel. I iron the fabric dry (no steam), usually from the back side because it's easier to see what's dry & what's not. Ironing while the fabric is very damp really helps eliminate wrinkles.

If I've machine-washed a larger piece of fabric, I'll dry it for just a few minutes & then take it to the board to iron while still damp. Fabric that dries too long in the drier, I usually have to spritz again with at least water, if not Best Press.

I am the queen of make your own scrap bags at Keepsake's tent sale. I have learned that swishing them in the sink to wash and then rinsing followed by a toss in the washer on the spin cycle cuts down on the strings. Toss in the dryer and stop it before totally dry.

I like the freezer idea. I do that with linen table cloths if I can't iron them right off.

KC, the sugar in the vodka isn't a problem??

piney

You didn't dry them in the mesh bag did you?

I used to use a bag, but then would take them out of the bag before putting in the dryer. I don't like the mesh bag though. I have a washer without the agitator and I wash fabric, even small pieces, on delicate. They come out with very very little fraying if any. I toss them in the dryer loose and they dry wrinkle free. I have also pressed when almost dry. I have also hand washed or hand soaked then dried loose in the dryer or pressed dry. I think the pieces need to dry loose, then the mesh bag doesn't do that whole thing with the accordion wrinkles. Hope this helps.

When I take my fabric out of the washer I shake them good before putting in the dryer I find that the cloth does not come out as wrinkled that way. I also do this with my dish towels and DH's hankerchifes.

Thanks for reminding me about that, Handie. I not only shake mine out, if a short enough piece I'll snap it by grabbing both ends in my hands and put my hands close together and quickly snap the fabric as far as my arms will reach. Same thing I do with jeans to keep the in-seams, in particular, from pulling up.

I shake out all my clothes and linens when I launder. I only snap the jeans. lolll They need to be tamed, you know?

quote:

When I take my fabric out of the washer I shake them good before putting in the dryer

When I read this sentence, I was immediately reminded of my Mom's unmarried uncle Lee. When I was young, I went with Mom to the laundromat and we saw Uncle Lee there doing his laundry. When Mom shook the clothes before putting in the dryer, he laughed at her and said it was a waste of time because they would be getting shook around plenty in the dryer. Strange how one little statement can make a person recall an event.

quote:

Originally posted by pinecone476:
I am the queen of make your own scrap bags at Keepsake's tent sale. I have learned that swishing them in the sink to wash and then rinsing followed by a toss in the washer on the spin cycle cuts down on the strings. Toss in the dryer and stop it before totally dry.

I like the freezer idea. I do that with linen table cloths if I can't iron them right off.

KC, the sugar in the vodka isn't a problem??

piney

Nope! Been using this mixture for years!

Vodka doesn't have any sugar in it unless some is added. It's a distilled product so any non-volatile stuff is left in the still. Sort of like distilled water.

But then I also don't understand how a spritz of water with vodka in it would be any better than a spritz of plain water for relaxing fabric so an iron can do its thing.

try using a spray bottle and soak the creases and them iron with a dry iron. Works on most of mine.

I can't remember how long it's been since I used bleach in the washer, so that's not the cause. However, I did dry the pieces in those mesh bags and that's where I think the problem lies.

I was able to buy more of the same light-colored 1/3 yd pcs today with 50% off coupons at JoAnn's. So I'm going to use the suggestion to hand wash them in the sink, roll in a towel to remove the excess water, and put in the dryer for a short time; then I'll remove and iron.

On the damaged pieces, I'm going to experiment with the vodka spritz and the refrigerator treatments, but I'm pretty nothing will improve their looks.

The same gal waited on me today that helped me last week in picking out my original fabric choices for my table runners. I showed her what had happened to my fabrics and she would have refunded my money if I had the receipt. I plan to return them next Tuesday when she seems to be working. I'm not so sure the other clerks would be so accommodating.

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CA Lori,

Keeps us posted, Lori. I was going to suggest that sometimes I use the back side of the fabric for a different effect but guess the fading is on both sides.

quote:

Originally posted by Bozie:
Vodka doesn't have any sugar in it unless some is added. It's a distilled product so any non-volatile stuff is left in the still. Sort of like distilled water.

Thanks Martha and KC.

piney

piney, only the right side has those whitish scar lines. That was the "outer" side of the folds/creases. The "inner" side of the fold was on the wrong side and there are no lines there. Must have something to do with rubbing on the mesh bags.

I forgot to mention that I had used Dreft detergent.

I hand washed my replacement fabrics (the same identical fabrics) about an hour ago and hung them up in the laundry room. I just checked on them only to discover that they are completely dry!!! Dang, I wanted to iron them when they were still wet. Gonna go do that now. I'll let you know how they turn out. BRB

I ironed them with a dry iron and they are fine. The only crease is where the fabric was folded at the factory. I plan to re-iron the pieces with steam later.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CA Lori,

Is it possible that the faded areas are actually areas with soap residue? If your pieces aren't too large, rinse again, even adding vinegar to water(to neutralize soap residue).
Since you purchased more fabric, you could compare them.