Making a Cuddle Sack...Should I Shrink Fleece?

[CathiiPiggie]

I've just got all the materials for making a cuddle sack (fleece, wadding etc). I have plenty of fleece (may be using for the cage if there's enough) but I was wondering if I should shrink the fleece by washing 3 times like with the bedding before I sew?
Thanks in advance!

 

[CanadianComforts]

I would highly suggest it. Some cottons will shrink too. When I first started I had issues with the fleece not shrinking and the cotton shrinking. It was bad. I now wash everything (well not the batting). I also wash everything a few times after making it that way everything gets settled into its self. Just my opinions here.

 

[CathiiPiggie]

I have a white fleece for inside and colourful fleece for outside of the cuddle sack because I am planning on using it to carry him around the house. After washing it 3x, I will make and have the wadding inside. Is it a bad idea to wash with the batting/wadding inside?

 

[CathiiPiggie]

Oh, one more question: How much bigger should I cut it before washing? My mum would like any spare fleece not used for cage or cozy but if I wash it all it would loose some of it's fluffiness and new feeling.

 

[Raine59]

I personally haven't notice fleece shrinking at all, at least not enough to be noticeable. So if you're using it for a cozy, you don't need to wash it to pre-shrink it but you do need to wash it for the same reason you wash the fleece for the cage....to make it wick properly as they will no doubt pee in the sack (unless they are very particular about their habits). But it doesn't really matter if you wash the fleece before or after you sew up the cozy. Just make sure you make it big enough, especially if your pigs aren't full grown. Everything I make for my girls ends up too small as I underestimate how big they really are.

 

[CanadianComforts]

I really don't know how much to cut it. I always just wash it all and then cut it.

As for the the batting questions, I don't understand what you mean. Do you mean washing it before sewing it? If so that's a really bad idea. It would more then likely come apart in the wash. Washing it after sewn means it can't come apart. Does that make any sense?

 

[CathiiPiggie]

@CanadianComforts Thanks for the reply. I meant washing once it's inside the cozy, because I don't want to wash the sack and realise the wadding will ruin/not dry etc.

@Raine59 I'll probably cut the fleece 2 inches too large. Does this sound okay do you think?

 

[PeeweesPiggyPalace]

I have quilted for a long time.. So my advice is wash and dry it all.. Except the batting! Then cut and sew.. Most fleece and cotton shrink when dried..

 

[CanadianComforts]

As for the typical size, what I did when I started was I looked a bedding sites like Jens custom crafts and sewing 4 a cause. I looked at what they had for size, added a seam allowance and sewed. I agree a pattern is very important!

 

[CathiiPiggie]

I think I will have 18" long (about 3" for folding over, 12" is Broccoli's length, 1" extra and another 1" for stitching space). Does this sound right?

 

[CathiiPiggie]

Thanks again everyone I just made a newspaper 'prototype' and 18" long by 13" wide seems perfect for him to turn around in and snuggle up in.