suedecloth

[Sews4kate]

I'm getting adventurous, I have only ever used cottons to sew dd's clothes with. I bought some suedecloth today since it was on sale and I thought it would be perfect for a project I'm working on. I was distracted and in a hurry so I didn't stop to look at the washing directions nor ask the salesperson for advice working with it. Can I wash it? cold, warm, or hot water? Can I press it with an iron? anything else I should know about using it? Thanks!

[kaitlinnegan]

Is it a woven polyester imitation suede? I've seen knit too, but I used the woven kind once to make an A-line skirt - pretty nice to work with all in all. I washed it on cold - I can't remember if I'm supposed to put it in the dryer or not. I don't usually put things I've made in the dryer anyway, since I'm a bit afraid they'll self-destruct. I pressed it with an iron on the "synthetic" setting, but it really did not press well. It just did not want to hold a crease - I had to hold the hem in place with a lot of pins before I sewed it. I did finish the seams - it didn't ravel a lot but seemed like it could. The skirt was one of the first things I made when I learned to sew and I didn't find the fabric tricky to sew at all.

What are you planning to use it for? It's a very hot fabric and doesn't breathe at all. It would be best for cold-weather wearing.

[DorothyL]

Is it the stuff from JoAnne Fabrics with the slippery underside?
I love that stuff -- easy to sew and easy to launder. Doesn't need ironing or if it does just a cool iron on the wrong side. Use a press cloth when you are sewing.
The edges don't really need finishing but --- if you want it to look good almost anything will look good.

[Sews4kate]

I'm using it to make a cape for dd's Little Red riding Hood costume, I made one out of broadcloth for her school day, but wanted something warmer for trick or treating, so the fact that it is warm is comforting to know

Dorothy, yes it has the slippery underside, I got it at Hancock's. Do you mean to use a press cloth when pressing the seams?

So can I throw it in the dryer on low?? or would hang drying be best?

[LeapFrog Libby]

That sounds like the million dollar outfit I gave my niece one year for Christmas.. I found a tan piece of that suedecloth on sale for $ 1.50 a yard, and it was very wide also.. My niece was a first grader and she was crazy about Pocahantos.(sp) I was telling girls at work I did not know what to get her for a gift and they said make her something.. So, I made an extra long t-shirt (dress length) and put fringe on it across the yoke area and down the long sleeves and around the hem.. (fringe from self fabric because it did not ravel) Found a pair of moccasins on sale at wally world and jewelry at grocery store on the dollar toy rack.. First day back after Christmas she wore it for show and tell.. She LOVED that outfit.. Her mom did not want her to wear it to school any more , but my niece asked the teacher if it was alright for her to wear it to school and teacher said yes .. She wore that dress about twice a week for the rest of the school year, my brother said.. I forgot , she is my great niece, not my niece.. We took her picture in that outfit on Christmas day and call it the million dollar gift because that is how much she loved it..She would not give it away, its packed up waiting on her daughter after she grows up and marries..She GN will graduate High School in Jan... 1 semester early..

[DorothyL]

Wendy,
Yeah, toss it in the dryer. The stuff is great. For outer wear you might want to line it (or even underline) with fleece for warmth.