S1E5 Sewing and Alterations for Others, To Pre-Wash or Not To Pre-Wash When Sewing or Quilting

In this episode, Amie and Natalie talk about sewing and alterations requests and how to say no to them. Also, there is a lengthy discussion about whether to pre-wash fabric or not depending on where you bought it and what you will be making. In addition, there are plenty of tangents and the customary nonsense. SHOW NOTES: The song Comfortably Numb is by: Pink Floyd, not Nirvana as Natalie led you to believe. Amie has made between 10-15 quilts and Natalie has made 450 or so. She wanted this ammended but I refuse. The word that Amie was searching for for nearly 45 minutes was SIZING, which is not the same as starch. Thanks Mom for reminding me!! See info below via americandrycleaner.com Q: What’s the difference between starch and sizing? Can spray starch be used in place of sizing? A: Starch is used to stiffen fabrics such as shirt collars and cuffs, while sizing is used to add body, “crispness” and “hand” to garments. Starch is vegetable-based (it’s formulated from wheat, corn or rice), while sizing is a resinous solution that can be either vegetable- or plastic-based. Because starch doesn’t satisfactorily adhere to thermoplastic fibers such as polyester, manufacturers often blend a plastic-based sizing agent and vegetable-based starch to impart stiffness to the synthetic fibers. Starch and sizing alike can be added during the wetcleaning or drycleaning process, or they can be sprayed onto garments during the finishing process. When starch is applied in place of sizing, the garment can become overly stiff, crease easily and wrinkle before and during wear. Because sizing adds body to fabric, it makes garments easier to finish, reduces wrinkling during wear, and keeps pleats and creases sharp. quilting quilts quilt sewing sew crafts craft make making makers modern