applique care

[Pat]

I bought an applique and plan to put it on a fleece blanket for a little
boy. Does anyone know if it will go through the wash okay? The label says
"hand wash" but I doubt if his mother will do that. It is fairly
large---Curious George sitting in front of a Yellow Hat. I'd say it's about
7" tall and 7" wide.

thanks for any hints.

Pat

[BEI Design]

More information would help. I think you must mean a
completed applique, not a machine embroidery design?

Can you pre-wash the applique and blanket separately to be
sure they don't shrink at different rates? Are you going to
sew it onto the blanket with a zig-zag (or other decorative)
stitch, or is it designed to adhere using some sort of
adhesive? If the latter, it probably will not stand up to
repeated normal kid's-stuff washing.

All of these designs were embrodered directly onto the
garment/item:
http://ickes.us/embrodiery.aspx

Beverly

[Pat]

BEI Design wrote:
> Pat wrote:
>> I bought an applique and plan to put it on a fleece
>> blanket for a little boy. Does anyone know if it will go
>> through the wash okay? The label says "hand wash" but I
>> doubt if his mother will do that. It is fairly
>> large---Curious George sitting in front of a Yellow Hat.
>> I'd say it's about 7" tall and 7" wide.
>> thanks for any hints.
>
> More information would help. I think you must mean a
> completed applique, not a machine embroidery design?

It's a purchased applique I saw at the store, not a completely
machine-embroidered one.

>
> Can you pre-wash the applique and blanket separately to be
> sure they don't shrink at different rates? Are you going to
> sew it onto the blanket with a zig-zag (or other decorative)
> stitch, or is it designed to adhere using some sort of
> adhesive? If the latter, it probably will not stand up to
> repeated normal kid's-stuff washing.

It has a tag on it that says it doesn't shrink, but I am afraid it might
curl if it is put into the clothes dryer.
The company gives 3 ways to put it on: zigzag stitch, iron-on film, or
fabric glue. I was thinking of using the iron-on film.

Thanks for any advice.

[BEI Design]

You might be able to get away without pre-washing, trusting
that the manufacturer actually tested it for shrinkage.

> The company gives 3 ways to put it on: zigzag stitch,
> iron-on film, or fabric glue. I was thinking of using
> the iron-on film.
> Thanks for any advice.

For an item this likely to be laundered, I would strongly
recommend zig-zag satin-stitching around the design. You
might be able to match thread to the outside edges, and make
it a design feature, changing needle colors where necessary.
And to secure it even better, do some simple "machine
quilting" stitches on the interior part of the appliqu�,
which will help hold it in place during washing and drying.

I would not trust either a fabric glue or iron-on film for
this project, especially not on a fleece blanket, and
ESPECIALLY not on a baby's item.

Beverly

[Pat]

>>
> For an item this likely to be laundered, I would strongly
> recommend zig-zag satin-stitching around the design. You
> might be able to match thread to the outside edges, and make
> it a design feature, changing needle colors where necessary.
> And to secure it even better, do some simple "machine
> quilting" stitches on the interior part of the appliqu�,
> which will help hold it in place during washing and drying.
>
> I would not trust either a fabric glue or iron-on film for
> this project, especially not on a fleece blanket, and
> ESPECIALLY not on a baby's item.
>
> Beverly

Great advice! Thanks much.

Pat

[BEI Design]

You're welcome, good luck with your project.

Beverly