Isculpt Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Hello, all. My broken arm and shattered wrist are finally gaining some strength and flexibility 11 weeks after the fall, and I'd like to say thanks to all who offered words of guidance and support. I'm not anywhere near full-throttle (more like pumping the gas pedal in anticipation) but I'm finally ready to set up my shiny new slab roller this weekend. I know that I am supposed to soften the canvas by soaking it in water softener/water and allowing it to dry. I asked for advice from the seller, but even though I followed it, I've still got a stiff canvas. I've soaked the darned thing for 8 hours in the 'water softener to water' ratio listed on the bottle, but it's still stiff and has the bumps from having been rolled up. What am I doing wrong? thanks, Jayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 I have never washed canvas before in all my years-I always thought it may make it lumpy. You may want to just get a new piece? Or a slab matt which leaves no texture.How about putting it in dryer with no heat and beating it soft with shoe in there???Just an idea never tried it. mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted September 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 I have never washed canvas before in all my years-I always thought it may make it lumpy. You may want to just get a new piece? Or a slab matt which leaves no texture.How about putting it in dryer with no heat and beating it soft with shoe in there???Just an idea never tried it. mark John, all I know is the following, taken from a printout that comes with the Bailey DRD II slab roller: "When you receive your new canvas, you will need to shrink it to prevent future wrinkles. To shrink your canvas, soak it in a tub of warm water for several hours with a small amount of fabric softener, and then let it drip dry on a clothes line or rod. Never put your canvas in a washing machine or a dryer! ...We recommend that once the canvas has been pre-shrunk (as described previously) a permanent fold be created by sewing in a seam. This will eliminate an extra step when preparing to roll a slab. It will also insure that both sides of the canvas are in perfect alignment." Curious.....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 I have never done any of that ... guess I should have read the manual. It does get soft over time ... and do not put it in the dryer. Also, those directions must have been written when everyone had heavy duty sewing machines in the house! I cannot image being able to get a seam run through mine and they are old and softer. All I do is fold it in half. I bought an extra so I had one for red/brown clay and one for porcelain.Wash day entails laying them on the driveway and hosing them off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted September 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 I have never done any of that ... guess I should have read the manual. It does get soft over time ... and do not put it in the dryer. Also, those directions must have been written when everyone had heavy duty sewing machines in the house! I cannot image being able to get a seam run through mine and they are old and softer. All I do is fold it in half. I bought an extra so I had one for red/brown clay and one for porcelain.Wash day entails laying them on the driveway and hosing them off! Well, Chris, I wondered how the heck I'd wash these things. That's a great idea about hosing them off in the driveway...now if only I can find a friend with a paved driveway I can borrow!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 I have a Bailey DRD but I usually use slab Matt's. My canvas has softened over time after ten years. I also have lots of softer thinner canvas around the shop. I had a Bailey rom 1980 where I did sew that fold and it did work well. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAY Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Sewing? I don't think so! Fold it in half, use a permanent black marker. An inch on each edge is plenty. Do both sides. If you have a pressure washer, that is great for getting ALL the clay out. If you don't have a pressure washer, then go to the car wash. They also have a "paved driveway" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 I can't believe they expect you to sew your own canvas! If it's necessary to the function of the product, they should be doing it themselves. Ridiculous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Washing it at a car was is a great idea, like Chris I have one for white clay and one for red and only wash them in the summer on the driveway when the sun can bake them dry quickly. I just started using the canvas from Bailey out of the package, the canvas softens up as you use it. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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