Fabric Care Instructions

[cam]

How do you keep track of fabric care instructions when you are buying fabric? I bought some remnants the other day that had the care instructions on the slip that said what it was and how big. Every store I have ever bought remnants at left the slips on (though none have listed care instructions which would be nice). This store removed the slips at the register. I wasn't going to hold things up by asking to copy down all the slip info, not that I could even have written it all down anyway. I hadn't tried to memorize them as I wasn't expecting their removal. I can't recall which was line dry and which could go in the dryer. Even when buying off the bolt, you don't get the care information. I already forgot the instructions for stuff I just bought on Friday (and the store is several hours away, so I can't go back to check for a few weeks if they actually still have a few which were on clearance - SMH). I need a system that can keep track of instructions and which fabrics they go with. Do you have a system or is your memory just not shot like mine is?

Also, when you make things for others, how do you pass along the care instructions?

TIA!

[MsNicole06]

I'm bad but I wash cold water and place in the dryer with everything. If it can't handle it then I don't want it. Since almost all my sewing is for DD I need easy.

[cmeon]

If I regularly bought "fussy fabrics", and I was organized enough to put some minor effort into it- I'd use my phone to take a picture of the wash instructions and the fabric together and upload them to their own gallery, for reference. I suppose you could email them to yourself to file, print them out to put in a book, maybe? Doesn't that sound awesome? I wish someone would do that for me.

I'll be honest, if I think a fabric is questionable in the dryer, it has about a 90% chance of being pulled out to dry flat the first wash, about a 50% for the next couple, and then it's probably going to get dried. Most of the time, nothing bad happens.

[cam]

I avoid anything that is hand wash only (and definitely avoid dry clean only stuff). When I buy clothing, I certainly go the dryer route for almost everything. I like care to be as easy as possible (plus with MH's pollen allergies, I don't use my clothesline much anymore). I considered going the dryer for all route for the sewing fabrics but didn't want to put in a bunch of effort to make something only to have it not hold up. I got some chiffon and a couple other somewhat similar materials for a few shirts and skirts. When I worked in the banquet industry, we used a lot of fabrics for decorative displays, and a lot said to be gentler with their care than I actually ever was, and those all held up fine long term, so you guys are right that I should just do the same from the start in this case. If I do it before I put in the time to make the clothing, I am not going to be as frustrated if the fabric gets ruined immediately. I have only ever transferred photos from my phone's micro SD card once (because it filled up), and I don't have a smart phone to email any to myself, so I don't see myself taking the time to do something that involved regularly. Maybe I will go the photo route only for fabrics that are really fussy if I ever have the desire to buy any. This plan sounds much more doable. Dryer for all unless I someday lose my mind and buy something super fussy for some bizarre reason.

[lovetruly2015]

I take pictures of the care instructions on my phone and write them down on paper later. If you get a buch at one time take a pic of the fabric and the instructions together.