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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: cocoa
Date: 02-24-2006, 12:15 PM (1 of 8)
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Hello everyone, This is my first time to this forum. I have really enjoyed reading all the different threads. My mother is 83 and still going strong despite being on her third round of chemo for lymphoma! When she was here in Texas to visit me in October (she lives in PA), we picked out some flannel fabric for a layette she was going to make for a expectant woman who works for me. Well, she called me the other day because she had finished the layette and was going to send it to me. She was upset, however, because after she had finished, she had seen a small warning on the edge of the fabric. It said something to the effect of "Do not use for children's clothing" or something along those lines. I'm kind of upset about it because it was pink flannel with bunnies on it. What else would someone make out of it? (Sorry, I don't mean to be sarcastic.) I assume it is because it hasn't been treated with fire retardent or something. Does anyone have more knowledge about the meaning of this warning and what kind of risk is involved? Thanks so much for your help. cocoa |
User: cocoa
Member since: 02-24-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-24-2006, 01:38 PM (2 of 8)
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I'd assume it isn't fire retardant. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 02-24-2006, 01:59 PM (3 of 8)
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Here is a link to a discussion we had awhile ago about Flannel (http://sew-whats-new.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17601&highlight=flame+retardant).
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: cocoa
Date: 02-24-2006, 03:11 PM (4 of 8)
| Thanks so much for your prompt reply. I feel much better after reading the previous thread on this topic. My mother will be so pleased, too. |
User: cocoa
Member since: 02-24-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: jenny-o
Date: 02-24-2006, 05:09 PM (5 of 8)
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I worked in the insurance industry awhile back and the fire retardant is a big liability issue. I know there are very strict rules about manufacturing sleepwear for children (not a good small home business idea). You will often see clothing in stores that look like pajamas but the tag will say "not intended to be used as sleepwear", very cheeky I think as they are obviously not play clothes. I can't remember the story behind the rules but I think it was more likely the very light, 'flowy', loose-weave nightgowns that could catch fire and be up in total flames in seconds that contributed to the rules. Adding fabric softener to fluffy type fabrics (flannel) also makes them much more of a fire hazard - hence the warning on the bottles. We don't smoke or have any open fires (candles are well supervised!) so I don't see the risk being any worse at night when they are sleeping as during the day when they can wear anything. Jen |
User: jenny-o
Member since: 08-28-2005 Total posts: 132 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-24-2006, 05:20 PM (6 of 8)
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Beds and bedding are huge fire hazards all by themselves. They think that if your garments "melts" to your body it is better than flames (about the same difference except the hot fabric just keeps burning and don't even ask about removing it.) The fact is that if you are in bed and it catches fire you are in serious trouble anyway. An infant in that bed that is unable to move (or an elderly confined person) would have a problem whether their flannel was retardant or not. There was a time when real horse hair was used in womens hoop skirts. THere was a terrible church fire at Christamas time one year (the tree candles caught on fire). The only people who died in the fire were women whose skirts went up in flames at a very low temp, catching them in the aisles before they could get out of the building. Personally I rather be caught in a natural fiber anytime than something that was synthetic if I were in a fire. I"ve always said they'd find me naked if I were wearing synthetic. 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: Sancin
Date: 02-24-2006, 06:44 PM (7 of 8)
I am sewing infant clothes at present. I am not worried about the flannellette, as unless the mother was holding infant near a source of fire (stove or electical source) how would clothing catch fire? The infant is not going to go anywhere on it's own. Creepers and toddlers are another story. If there was a room fire, the infant would probably die of smoke inhalation, before burn. 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: blackie
Date: 02-24-2006, 11:00 PM (8 of 8)
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Great advice here. You can always count on the board to offer good advice. I have sewn my kids cotton PJs. And I too have seen many, many sleepers that were "not for sleepwear". Duh. It's just a CYA label.
see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
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