Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Sews4dogs
Date: 11-03-2006, 12:17 PM (1 of 9)
|
I bought some cotton fabric to sew Xmas pillowcases. As I unfolded the fabric, I noticed numbers in squares are printed on the selvage of the fabric. Do they mean anything? Laurie |
User: Sews4dogs
Member since: 10-29-2006 Total posts: 16 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 11-03-2006, 12:22 PM (2 of 9)
|
I always thought the stuff in the selvage is -- other than brand names and other types of identification -- to make sure things are printed straight with the right colors in the right places and such. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 11-03-2006, 12:24 PM (3 of 9)
|
Guess I've always assumed that those are the colors used in manufacturing the fabric. I would imagine they're also pattern numbers, factory numbers, etc. Someone will know for sure though. Hi and Welcome, btw. I sew for dogs too! Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: Magot
Date: 11-03-2006, 01:54 PM (4 of 9)
|
they mean nothing to me - I have always assumed they are dye numbers as they normally have the coloured square next to them. I think they are fairly unimportant to the home sewer.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
|
From: Mom of Six
Date: 11-03-2006, 03:48 PM (5 of 9)
|
The colored dots are all the colors used in the design. The #s are dyelots & pattern #s of the design. If you are trying to match a piece the colored dots can tell you what colors will look good with it.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
|
From: Sews4dogs
Date: 11-03-2006, 04:20 PM (6 of 9)
|
MomofSix, thanks for that info. I think I'll keep a swatch of the fabric with the numbers to match for later projects. Laurie |
User: Sews4dogs
Member since: 10-29-2006 Total posts: 16 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 11-04-2006, 12:17 PM (7 of 9)
I use them for matching trims on garments, and they are of great value in choosing co-ordinating quilt fabrics..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: MaryW
Date: 11-06-2006, 09:32 AM (8 of 9)
|
I had the impression the numbers were in direct relation to the amount of the colour in the print. If brown is #1, that means that brown is the dominant colour, #2 is the next dominant, etc. It is an excellent tool for matching colours in the fabric store.  I don't think all fabrics have these guides. I notice them on a lot of home dec. fabrics. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: Mom of Six
Date: 11-06-2006, 09:40 AM (9 of 9)
|
That's right Mary. #'s with the color indicate how much color.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-20632.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft