Do I get Fleece tested.

[OgsploshAccessories]

A while back I decided to stop making childrens hats, so I stopped reading the CPSIA forum.
Am I wrong in thinking that fleece no longer needs to be tested for lead?

[NGHDesigns]

Lead in fleece doesn't concern me after the experience I've been having the past 7 days. Been sewing acres of the stuff into children's theater costumes for about a month now & developed a sensitivity to the chemicals used to "enhance drape & wrinkle resistance." Washed everything I brought home as I always do that w/my own fabric. Didn't last Monday as I'd already partially cut out a costume at the workshop. Tuesday night my histamine system went totally haywire & I broke out in hives from head to toe. Loaded upon benedryl, laundered what hadn't been, vacuumed my cutting/sewing area, & went elsewhere for a few hours while any dust hopefully settled. Managed ok on constant benedryl until sewing at the civic center for 3 hrs Sunday night. Woke up yesterday w/lips 3x normal size & covered in hives again w/swallowing & breathing a little uncomfortable.

Guess who's no longer helping w/costumes. :(

[Former_Member]

NGHDesigns, are you saying that fleece did this to you? I hope you are alright now. How scary.

[OgsploshAccessories]

Wow NGH. I hope you are a lot better now. You need to get to the doctors!

[NGHDesigns]

Thanks Sewinspirations & heirons~

Seems that I'm ok w/the fleece, once it's been LAUNDERED.

I always wash any (washable) fabric I buy before sewing, usually as soon as I get it home.

Polyfleece turns the wash water in the machine grey the first time through -- take a look sometime. Major ICK.

This fabric belongs to the theater group & came from JoAnns which is where I get mine (only retail option here). I washed everything I brought home up until last Monday. I did work on costumes there w/unlaundered fabric over the past few weeks which may have gotten the reaction started. Who knows.

I don't think the fleece in itself is a problem as I've sewn with it quite a bit over the years. BUT, I've never gone through 35-40 yards of polyester fabric in just a few weeks.

Did a little Googling when the head costumer suspected the dye. Dye, especially the "Avo" dye used on polyester is known to cause allergic reactions, but seems more often it's the formaldehyde-based resins used to enhance drape & wrinkle resistance. My guess is that my system just got overloaded on whatever the fabric is "sized" with & went beserk. If a past experience w/poision ivy years ago is any indication, I'll probably be hyper-sensitive to whatever it is for many months to come. Lips are mostly back to normal & only a few new hivey blotches today.

Yeah Zyrtec.

[OneWorldPlush]

I sew unwashed fleece every day, and the only problem I have is fleece dust getting on my contacts. All fabric is exempt from testing.

[NGHDesigns]

Update...

Seems I'm having a reaction to all of it now. Made elephant tails last night w/a t-shirt knit (no idea on fabric content) and acrylic yarn. Didn't go in the main sewing room, but did help kids into costumes. Within 30 min of starting, my hands were covered w/new hives. Felt bad about leaving the stressed costumer in the lurch & would much rather work than sit idle so finished them anyway.

Woke w/more hives & plumped lips this morning, but at least nothing dramatic. Still taking Zyrtec.

Guess I'll be staying away from the fabric store for a while. :(

Have learned that one can be exposed to something for years & never have a problem, then one day your system can go haywire & you become HYPERsensitive. Happens with foods, too, as well as other things.

Planed on making some fleece slippers for Christmas gifts. Washed the fleece long ago but think, for at least a few weeks anyway, I'll work on jewelry instead of sewing.

[Former_Member]

in answer to your question, no it does not have to be tested, as it is a fabric and it was ruled no testing.

[HouseOfLittleTomato]

CPSIA Guide for small businesses:

http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/smbus/manufacturers.html

Close to the bottom you will see the exempt materials. Fabric is exempt.

[OneWorldPlush]

Oh, my goodness, NGH! Do you have a lot of allergies in general? I thought my itchy contacts were bad, but you sure are suffering not being able to be close and snuggly with fleece. I wouldn't be able to stand it. Good luck with your reactions in the future.