Why is my fabric so rough??

[Lizzie28]

I finished my first quilt. I used fat quarters of Fabulous Foxes (Robert Kaufman 100% cotton), 100% cotton Michael Miller fabric, and I cut up a crib sheet (Pottery Barn organic cotton) from my daughter's bedroom. And, I'm just disappointed with how rough the fabric feels after washing. I used mild detergent on gentle cycle in washing machine and tumble dried on low with a dryer sheet. It makes sense that the more you wash it the softer it will feel, but I wonder if there is other fabric out there that is softer??? Any suggestions for next time?

I will add that the crib sheet is softer than the others.

[Hulamoon]

Re: Why is my fabric so rough??

I always say to a question about Kona Cotton (Kaufman) is that it was itchy to me. I tried to make children's clothes from it because the colors are so nice. Bella (Moda)is much softer.

[toggpine]

Re: Why is my fabric so rough??

It seems that once I have washed the fabric and the finish is undone, almost all of the fabric feels rougher, no matter what brand.

[grammaterry]

Re: Why is my fabric so rough??

Some fabrics have that silky feel and some have a stiffer cotton feel. I notice this and it doesn't seem to be with any one mfg.

[PrettyCurious]

Re: Why is my fabric so rough??

Ditch the dryer sheets. Over time they make the fabric stiffer, and where it may be important [towels], they make the fabric less absorbant.

I have hard water, and I haven't used dryer sheets in years, since I found out what was in them. My towels are in much better condition since I stopped.

[stitchwishes]

Re: Why is my fabric so rough??

I've found MSQC's daily deals a cheap (and fun!) way to try different brands. I really think anything made in Japan is the finest and softest; they have very exacting standards in their factories.

Flannel, of course, is super soft. Cotton lawn feels like silk. Peppered Cotton (a brand of shot cotton closest to quilting weight) is supple and buttery.

Two of my favorites thus far are RJR and Free Spirit. Cotton and Steel is really lovely. Oh forget two favorites, I just remembered Benartex is really soft.

Like PrettyCurious, I don't use fabric softener anymore. Also, a little soap residue can make fabric feel rougher so I use an extra rinse setting on my washer. And you have to remember, these are woven and printed cottons, not treated like sheets often are for crispness or no wrinkle or whatever.

[[email protected]]

Re: Why is my fabric so rough??

Can't help regarding any specific fabric brand, but in regards to making fabric softer I quit using softners totally. I started using Vinegar. I just fill the spot in my washer where softner would normally go with Vinegar.

My clothes, towels, and fabric are coming out of the dryer soft and without any coating of softeners on them. After the first couple times of using the vinegar I feel my washed items are back to their original clean, colors.