Help with placemats

"Moniki20" wrote..

First, welcome back and enjoy your new home. I would pre-wash the backing before I do anything. If you don't you have the possibility of it shrinking when you wash your place mats and distorting the shape.I would also pre-wash the interfacing by dipping it in warm water a few times and then hanging to dry. This is also so you don't get shrinkage when you wash them. If I were making them I would interface the top so that I have a nice firm area for my dinnerware. That's personal choice. Juno

I agree with Juno about putting it on the top piece for a nicer look, but I didn't know you could pre-shrink interfacing.

Juno can fusible be pre-shrunk too?

HTH and TIA

Michelle Giordano

I've filled my sink with WARM no hot water and dipped the interfacing up and down a few times then hung it to dry. Don't twist, Hang very wet. Just be sure when you hang it the fusible side doesn't stick together. Of course the best thing would be to pre-test to be sure. It's never been a problem for me though. After all, you do put clothes in the washer after you've made them with fusible interfacing. Juno

Tis I, new to sewing but experienced in problems. Last November I worked for a solid six weeks on a beautiful table runner for my nephew's girlfriend (to use at Christmas). I did not use fusible interfacing and did not prewash the regular interfacing. I was told by the person instructing me on how to put this item together that it wouldn't be a problem HAH!!! My sewing project was beautiful until I washed it!!! I cried and was heartbroken as I had taken time to make sure it was perfect Wash everything before you cut and assemble, I'd hate to see another poor soul make the same mistake I made and ruin lovely fabric. Just two cents from a novice :)

Breeze

Having made that mistake over 40 years ago, I'll second the notion. I always treat fabric for *all* sewing projects to whatever cleaning method I will be using for the finished project BEFORE I cut anything out. If a fabric is going to shrink/wrinkle/shred later, at least I know *before* putting a lot of effort into the project, and if it shrinks I'll be cutting the already-shrunk-as-much-a-it-ever-will fabric.

Beverly