Yay! Thanks to Berrygirl and her unused e-coupon, I picked up the fabric I fell in love with today. Here’s a crappy cell phone picture of it. 
Question for the crafty types, though — this fabric is 100% cotton, and feels almost canvas-like. It was ina section of all kind of similar fabric, and this one is labeled "Dry Clean Only," while other fabrics had machine washable instructions, too. For a crib bumper (that will likely be unnecessary for a long time, I’m so lame) I’m thinking that’s not a problem. Either way, I bought a little extra to test it for machine washability — but what could happen? Bleeding color? Shrinkage, I get, but all of this was heavier 100% cotton stuff, and only SOME was DCO, and I couldn’t find an alogorithm to support why some might be that way. ANy ideas? And how should I test it — in the sink? Run it through one of my prefold diaper-seasoning washes? (Thinking that if it stains, no big deal, they are just diapers and have to be washed more anyway) Any advice?
I also went to school today, on only Tylenol, YEEHAA! May my good fortune continue. However, with the back thing, and the belly thing (it being huge), I am officially a lumbering pregnant woman. I don’t want to piss off the spine again, and my left leg is getting wonky from walking all hitched up on the right,and I’m, you know, PREGNANT, and I feel like a moose, just lurching one leg in front of the other, slowly. I’ve always been a fast walker, and Dave HATES that I race through a store or whatever, and today? I was following HIM. Sigh. But yeah. I’m 28 weeks pregnant.
See?
Is it upholstery fabric? I think everything at Joann’s that is that weight is labeled dry clean only. It could be because of some non-flammable coating required by law, but we regularly got that question when I worked at the cutting table. I always told people to try to wash a swatch and see if it was okay.
I would wash it in the way that is most convenient for you- if you aren’t inconvenienced by handwashing, then do it that way. Try washing some in the washer on the delicate cycle and see if that does the trick.
We didn’t end up washing the lentil’s bumper all that often, because it just didn’t get used or dirty. The lentil only napped in his crib, and we pulled the bumper out as soon as he was pulling himself up to prevent him trying to use it to climb out. So washing wasn’t an issue for us.
Hmm I would wash it ont he lowest possible temperature settingn and maybe bung in one of thos colour catcher sheets. To dry either line dry it or lay it flat on a towel and air dry it. Definitly stay away from the dryer to avoid shrinkage issues.
And cute preggo belly (even if you are lumbering)!
Hooray for cute fabric! I’m a reckless type, I’d just throw a swatch in the washing machine on hot and see what happens. But that’s me!