Washing Pillow ticking

[GriscomRun]

I am wondering about this. Never washed my strips before but hear on the forum it could be the right thing to do. Guessing it would wash out the harshness from the yard I just got from JoAnn's. Plain water ok or should I add a few drops of dew ? Thaks all, again !

 

[rafterob]

Yes a small amount of detergent is good. I always just wash mine with the normal laundry loads.

 

[GriscomRun]

Thanks for that. It helps a bit.

 

[Zonie]

Personally, I think washing new pillow ticking is best done by hand in a kitchen sink full of warm water.
All you'r needing to do is to wash out the "sizing" that was applied to the material. Sizing is basically a starch which is soluble in water. It is used to keep the material smooth so it is easy to cut out with patterns and scissors or machine cutters which the big clothing companies use.

A bit of detergent in the water on the first wash, some elbow grease, then drain the sink using a mesh basket in the drain.
Pick out all of the loose threads in the drain basket that came off of the material during the washing.
Then, refill the sink with warm water and apply some more elbow grease to rinse the soap and remaining sizing out of the cloth followed by draining the sink again, using the mesh basket to catch the loose threads.

My reason for going this more difficult way is, there will be a lot of loose threads that come off of the cut edges of the cloth. Many washing machines don't have filters on them to catch these loose threads and letting the machine send them down your drain is an excellent way to plug up your plumbing.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Be careful to not wring the cloth once it’s done. This is specifically warned against in Ned Roberts book, The Muzzle Loading Cap Lock Rifle.

The author says this can cause thin spots in the fabric, leading to possible changes in accuracy. Seems to make sense and even if there’s not much evidence to support it, probably best to just gently press most of the water out and air dry from there.

 

[torpedo]

I just wash mine in the machine and dry it in the dryer until it is close to dry then I steam iron it and cut it up and its good to go.

 

[Dibbuk]

I always toss the new ticking in the wash with my blue jeans, and wash in hot water. Repeat as necessary until the sizing is washed out, which usually takes 2 washes. You should find the ticking is now softer and more flexible, and makes more absorbent patching material.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I toss in the washer with no detergent then in dryer. The loose threads a cut off afterwards. Works for me.

 

[ZUG]

I am wondering about this. Never washed my strips before but hear on the forum it could be the right thing to do. Guessing it would wash out the harshness from the yard I just got from JoAnn's. Plain water ok or should I add a few drops of dew ? Thaks all, again !

DON'T cut it into strips leave it intact as purchased. If you cut it into strips you will end up with a bunch of loose strings and a mess to untangle.

 

[longcruise]

I wash it hot and dry it hot. Seems to be ok.

 

[30coupe]

I give it to my wife and ask her to wash it twice and dry it. I don't know exactly how she did it nor do I really care. It's not stiff anymore, so I'm happy!

 

[Eric Krewson]

I use a fabric cutter to cut my strips, it sure does a neat job with sharp edges and no fraying.

 

[longcruise]

I use a fabric cutter to cut my strips, it sure does a neat job with sharp edges and no fraying.

I got the cutting tool but would sure appreciate some advice on what to cut on.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I need to get a fabric cutter and try it out.

 

[Dibbuk]

After washing a few times, I just tear strips off as I need them. The cloth tears easily parallel to the stripes, so just count the number of stripes to make a strip the width you want.

(Whew, try saying that real fast........ grin)

 

[Brokennock]

I bought a Fiskars brand wheel type fabric cutter at Walmart. I mostly use it for leather work (bought the heavier duty model) but I could see it being great for cutting strips of fabric for patch material. Run it along a straight edge and you can't go wrong. The thing is scary sharp.

 

[hawkeye2]

Hem the material before you wash and dry it, takes care of all the problems. There are mats available to cut against with the rotary cutter. You might try Hobby Lobby or JoAnn's for a start. They come in handy when using punches too.

 

[Baxter]

Personally, I think washing new pillow ticking is best done by hand in a kitchen sink full of warm water.
All you'r needing to do is to wash out the "sizing" that was applied to the material. Sizing is basically a starch which is soluble in water. It is used to keep the material smooth so it is easy to cut out with patterns and scissors or machine cutters which the big clothing companies use.

A bit of detergent in the water on the first wash, some elbow grease, then drain the sink using a mesh basket in the drain.
Pick out all of the loose threads in the drain basket that came off of the material during the washing.
Then, refill the sink with warm water and apply some more elbow grease to rinse the soap and remaining sizing out of the cloth followed by draining the sink again, using the mesh basket to catch the loose threads.

My reason for going this more difficult way is, there will be a lot of loose threads that come off of the cut edges of the cloth. Many washing machines don't have filters on them to catch these loose threads and letting the machine send them down your drain is an excellent way to plug up your plumbing.

Amazon sells mesh-type zipper-closure laundry bags for delicate clothing items - I have some expensive long-sleeve T shirts that I wash in these - the bags come in various sizes.

 

[Sinner]

I've never washed my ticking and never have any problems...

 

[ChrisPer]

I just ran out of my old .015" ticking. Bought new at the same shop, and the ball jammed in the muzzle.
0.022"!

Also tried my old hi-vis workshirts, 0.013". Groups were very big.
Found 100% cotton duck is the right thickness, 0.016". Group shrank to half but not good enough.
Tried more lube, and soaking and drying. Groups big.
I am talking 8" groups at 50m. Tearing my hair.