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From: Longblades
Date: 08-10-2005, 12:08 PM (1 of 27)
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Two questions. Bought fleece remnant on sale in a yarn dyed, not printed, plaid. It is very badly off-grain. I think it must have been woven too tightly at one side as the plaid lines are not even parallel, though only slightly. I stretched and straightened as much as I could, cut my pattern pieces by halfs, ie. cut only one half of the back, flipped it over and used lots and lots of pins to match the lines and then cut the other half of the back, doing lots more stretching as I went. Then I steamed and pressed the pieces to try to get them to stay matched once the pins came out. I know I should have done the ironing part first but the fabric was easier to handle in the smaller pattern pieces. Question #1 - Do you think the fabric is going to revert to its previous off-grain state after I get it sewn up? Question #2 - I used a hotter iron than I should have (on purpose) and now it is stuck up with bits of fleece. How do you clean the sole plate of your iron? I have used baking soda but find it clogs the steam holes up. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: MaryW
Date: 08-10-2005, 12:42 PM (2 of 27)
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I don't know what will happen with your fabric, I have never had that much trouble with a piece of fleece. For your iron, empty it of all water. Then heat it up as hot as it will get and run it over salt sprinkled on paper. This always works for me. It will take a few passes but it works. There are lots of other remedies too. Good luck. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: TupJane
Date: 08-10-2005, 01:52 PM (3 of 27)
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Mary Can I use the salt method on the sole plate of my Rowenta that's teflon coated? Jane
See Jane Sew |
User: TupJane
Member since: 02-04-2005 Total posts: 55 
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From: MaryW
Date: 08-10-2005, 02:11 PM (4 of 27)
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Yes ma'am. At least I have done it with mine. I have a Rowenta Prof. Laser and it works. Just be very sure you have every drop of water out of the iron first. If not, you will have a mess on your hands.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Dede
Date: 08-11-2005, 10:19 AM (5 of 27)
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Good luck with the fabric; never had that problem neither. I usually heat up the iron and wipe it with a sheet of fabric softener. I however read other people not agreeing with this but I can't remember why. My plate is also teflon. |
User: Dede
Member since: 03-23-2001 Total posts: 469 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 08-11-2005, 02:36 PM (6 of 27)
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Dede I use the same technique of the used dryer sheet on both my Rowenta and my inexpensive teflon coated iron I bought at Wal-mart to use strictly for quilting. Have never had it fail to clean either iron, especially the stainles steel plate on my Professional Lux Rowenta. I've been afraid to try the salt thing on the stainless steel bottom of the Rowenta for fear of scratching or discloloring it. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: mamahoogie
Date: 08-11-2005, 07:59 PM (7 of 27)
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I don't have a teflon iron but when I stick fusible web to it I just iron over wax paper and it takes it off. Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: Longblades
Date: 08-12-2005, 08:49 AM (8 of 27)
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Mary, the salt worked wonderfully, though I had to make many, many passes and it also clogs up the steam holes. My iron is not self-cleaning, its an old GE with a stainless steel bottom. A few years ago, when I showed DH how the cloth covered cord was getting really frayed, I thought I was in line for a new iron for Christmas. But he replaced the cord, LOL. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: Sparky
Date: 08-12-2005, 09:44 AM (9 of 27)
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There's a product you can buy to clean the sole plate of your iron. I don't remember the name, but it doesns't cost much. You can buy it at JoAnn's or pretty much any fabric store, I'd expect. It comes in a tube (like a toothpaste tube). You squeeze some on a rag, run your hot iron over it, then run your iron over a clean rag to clean the stuff off. It's made specifically for removing iron-on interfacing which some of us are silly enough to get on our irons. I'll bet it would work on fleece and if it were me, I'd try it first. I know it won't hurt your iron.
Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-12-2005, 11:27 AM (10 of 27)
I've never had anything on my iron soleplate that waxed paper would not remove.. Safe, cheap and available everywhere.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Hogmami
Date: 08-12-2005, 11:34 AM (11 of 27)
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If you get stuff in the little stream holes on the sole plate, take a Q tip and clean them out.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: Longblades
Date: 08-13-2005, 01:12 PM (12 of 27)
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That salt was like concrete in the steam holes. DH used a sharpened chopstick to pick it out for me. You'd think the soleplate should come off somehow, for cleaning, but we don't see any screws that would allow this. My mother always used waxed paper on her old, non-steam iron, but I was afraid of the wax getting in the holes on my iron. Maybe I'll try that next time. Wax doesn't seem to have hurt the old steam iron I use to wax my skiis. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 08-13-2005, 03:13 PM (13 of 27)
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There was an interesting article in Sewing Savvy this month about selecting an iron. It went on to say that keeping your iron clean is the best thing you can do for it, making it last 30% longer. Didn't really tell us how to clean other than a nylon scrubber and buff with a soft cloth, but did mention that even dust in the air can cause build up on the soleplate, also residue from fabric softeners, soaps and spray starch. It recommends spraying the starch either on the wrong side of the fabric or spraying it and crumpling the fabric and let it set a few minutes so the starch can soak into the fibers. Did you know if you hear a hiss when ironing after spraying with starch that it is the starch burning? Never too old to learn something new!
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-13-2005, 04:30 PM (14 of 27)
| I know this takes a little more time but.... Starch whatever you want to starch, be it liquid or spray starch. Roll each item up tight & put in a plastic bag. Place in the fridge for an hour or so, even overnight is fine. It spreads the starch evenly & gets into the fibers. Much smoother ironing, less wrinkles to get out & iron doesn't hiss & burn the starch. ( unless your temp is too high.) Don't drown the material. If you don't need or want starch just sprinkle with water, roll up & put in fridge to set. Irons like a dream. My Mother did this & I always do.Creases in pants & pleats stay better too. To clean your iron, I use wax paper & the name of one cleaner is " Iron Off ". When I use the liquid starch I put it in a spray bottle at the strength I want for the item. You can water it down for a lighter starch. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-14-2005, 05:13 PM (15 of 27)
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BeachGirl-- Did your Mother use a sprinkler?? we had the kind that had a cork fitting around the botton and fitted down into a Coca-Cola bottle .. Or RC bottle because it held more water.. To Sprinkle the clothes before rolling up.. My Mom even taught me that there was a 'proper' way to roll each different garment. Dress shirts had to be folded toward the middle and then start at the collar and roll down to the shirt tail.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 08-14-2005, 05:52 PM (16 of 27)
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After reading this thread I realized that my Mom wasn't crazy....she did know what she was doing! I remember her spraying starch then putting the item in the fridge! I never really understond that...so after reading that others do that I get it! Thanks for making me understand!! (And getting Mom off the hook!) Can you still get thos sprinkler tops for bottles?? Just wondering~ mgf~ 
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288 
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From: beachgirl
Date: 08-14-2005, 06:16 PM (17 of 27)
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You got!! That's what she did & each item was folded & rolled a certain way. Wish they still sold those sprinklers that fit the soda bottles. Ironing was taught the same way, what part to iron first & so on. I still iron that way. I sprinkle clothes & etc dipping my fingers in a small bowl of water & shake them onto the clothes. Works but the sprinkler would be easier. To this day I don't mind ironing but I don't do near as much as I used to. I do starch my doilies real stiff. Have a large piece of very smooth thin board that I cover with either wax paper or foil to stretch them into shape. Set them out by the pool & they dry in no time. I've always loved doilies on my tables. Oh, Mom taught me how to iron when I was about 9 yrs old. At first it was only my dad's hankerchiefs. Then simple stuff like pillow cases. What memories you have brought back to me. Thanks so much.
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User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 08-14-2005, 08:01 PM (18 of 27)
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Dollar stores carry those sprinkler tops. Of course they are not as good as moms were, but I have seen them in the dollar stores.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 08-14-2005, 11:11 PM (19 of 27)
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If you live near Branson Missouri or are planning a trip there check out Dicks 5 & dime...it is right down town in Old Branson....I would almost bet they have them there!!! I will be hunting one of those babies! Thanks for sharing this info in this thread! mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: Longblades
Date: 08-15-2005, 08:27 AM (20 of 27)
| You can easily make your own sprinkler bottle by drilling or punching holes in the plastic top of an appropriate container. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: paroper
Date: 08-15-2005, 04:06 PM (21 of 27)
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Well, now it is really off topic but I've never seen a fleece that was dyed yarn by yarn. I've been trying since you first posted to think if I've ever seen a fleece that was yard dyed or if I could think of a fabric that looks like fleece that would be...but I come up blank. If you can get down to it, most is knit (I think) but it is so hard to see what is under there, I don't know for sure. The stuff I was using today was a very fine knit...I could see it what it was near the selvages. In a knit the individual yarns go across like knitting a sweater and they are looped inside each other. They are not woven like cotton. If the dye is not by single strand, it is not a real good way to determine if the fabric is on the straight of grain. If the dye is applied after the fabric has been "made" then the color can easily be off. Somebody? Am I totally wrong on this?
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 08-15-2005, 05:28 PM (22 of 27)
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Pam, I am with you. I think the same thing. I have been told that fleece is made out of recycled plastic, mostly milk bottles. Large sheets are then put through a printer, and rolled on a bolt. Being I work in a fabric store and sell tons of fleece, I have never found one that the design comes out right, when rolled of the bolt. Now I have had people ask me to cut on this line here so they have a straight line to follow. I cut it and then they see how the fabric is still crooked. Now I do not know if when they wash it, it goes straight, they usually are to disappointed when they see it. I know it gets stretched as they roll in onto the bolt, and maybe it will go back. I have sewn with fleece and made some wonderful jackets, but I cut the patterns out one piece at a time. I always wash my fleece before hand too. I am not a fan of fleece, but I know it is a favorite amoung sewers. Just my 2 cents worth. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: paroper
Date: 08-15-2005, 06:00 PM (23 of 27)
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A lot of even woven fabrics are heat set at high tempratures (sometimes with chemicals) and it is hard to make a perm. change in the direction of the grain in bolted fabric.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Longblades
Date: 08-16-2005, 09:49 AM (24 of 27)
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Paroper, you are right. That was sloppy of me to say it was yarn dyed. It is a knit. I was trying to make the point that the colours were not printed on (which, as you say, can easily be off-grain). It is fleece on one side and plain knit on the back and the individual colours can easily be seen on the back going through the whole, knit stitch by knit stitch. I bought this stuff because the colours match something else I'm making but next time I will look much more closely, especially if it is on sale. I've never bought fleece before. So far so good though. Its almost finished, a barn jacket to wear skating, and the pattern pieces have pretty well retained the shape I stretched and pressed them into even after I took the pins out. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: paroper
Date: 08-16-2005, 09:54 AM (25 of 27)
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Whew! I'm so glad it is working for you!!!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-16-2005, 02:57 PM (26 of 27)
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How's it going to hold up to washing? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Longblades
Date: 08-17-2005, 08:53 AM (27 of 27)
| I'm anticipating not very well so I'm never going to wash it. That way I'll have lots of space around me on the ice when I'm skating. LOL |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
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