What is duck fabric and does it "have" to be dry cleaned?

[RachelS]

Hi there Mamas...

I have been searching and searching for the right fabric to make kitchen curtians and a table runner and I think that I finally found one I really like... however it says that it is duck fabric and needs to be dry cleaned only??? Is this true?

Here is a link....

http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail....e-71e2bfa002d3

thanks

[Eclectica]

Lovely fabric!

Cotton duck is just a very tightly woven cotton, usually thick like a canvas. It is completely washable and I always wash it, but it usually shrinks a few inches so you must pre-wash before sewing.

I'd worry that the reason they say dry cleaning is because the print (it says printed on) isn't completely colorfast or something and you'll get some fading. But how often do you really need to wash curtains? (or maybe I'm showing what a poor housekeeper I am, ha ha!)

If it were me, I go for it and wash the fabric before sewing to allow for shrinkage.

[Angi]

I was just thinking when I saw the title on this: Why would you wash it? Duck is used for canvases and you'll just be painting on it.
silly me. I should read further.

Eclectica could be on to something. It probably does have to do with the dyes used in the print. They might fade a bit when washing, and cotton duck definitely shrinks. And you are not a bad housekeeper, El. I dust my curtains, if it makes you feel any better.

In my experience, a fabric that says "dry clean" that isn't artificial or see-through can usually be at least cold water washed by hand. I have a few shirts and dresses that say "dry clean only" and I don't have any problems washing them in the sink with cold water. I just hang them up to dry and when they are dramp, "hand iron" any folds or wrinkles.

[RachelS]

Thank you thank you thank you Mamas! I really do like the look of the fabric and it will go so nicely with my kitchen

Heehee.... I never wash my curtains... I would just dust them too I was asking about how washable it is because I wanted to make pot holders and place mats out of whatever I pick for the curtains so it all matches.

Thank you again!!! I really appreciate it! :

[E.V. Lowi]

I love duck and always think of it as a very preppy fabric, long and hard wearing for casual skirts and shorts and a fabric that grows softer over time with laundering, never as a "Dry Clean Only" fabric, so this must have something to do with the dyes used.

If I were to order some, I would test a swatch for color fastness, When fabrics or garments have "Dry Clean Only" then these fabrics would be damaged by water. When the label says "Dry Clean" these are water washable but require more finishing than average or some shrinkage and so the label prevents customer dissatisfaction.

[RachelS]

Great info!!!!! Thank you so very much Mama!

[slsurface]

Ditto to the pp. Buy extra and prewash - it will shrink/fray a lot. Duck cloth is very durable and wears well. I just made a teepee/play tent for ds's birthday out of duck cloth. It turned out very nice! :

[Hobie]

To help with some of the freying, you can zig-zag the cut edges first.

[RachelS]

Originally Posted by Hobie

To help with some of the freying, you can zig-zag the cut edges first.

Great tip!!! Thank you Mama!