Washing Pillow ticking

Believe me, the sizing used in Pillow Ticking, does not taste good when one is using spit as a patch lube !!

I'm in the washer and dryer group using laundry soap when I wash it. I just take out the large sheet of fabric and fold it into a usable size and keep it in a sealable freezer bag to keep it from getting dirty. When I need patches I just rip a strip of the correct thickness depending on the caliber of ball. For example I rip a strip about 1-1 1/4" wide for my 50s and about 3/4" wide for my 32. It is not an exact science. Fabric rips in a straight line very easily as long as you follow the way it is woven.

Eric Krewson said:

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

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Do yer own thang, guys. But, my thang is to observe the KISS principal. I wash, dry the lube large pieces while laying on a flat surface. My lube is made into blocks, like hand soap, and rubbed on the lighter side of the ticking. Then I cut into manageable sizes and put into zip lock baggies. At the range I cut a small slit at the top and rip off a strip about 2" wide and use that for my cut at muzzle patches. No fuss, no muss. In the field I tie that strip to the strap of my shooting bag and load from it. Handy.

Sinner said:

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

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I'm with Sinner.

Well, I washed it and let it air dry. Sometime later I cut it into nice large strips. I was thinkiing .54 I want to have made or just buy. Came out at a compressed .17... Later was out xmas doing and went back to JoAnn's and got the last yard of a heavier ticking. Just saving this for now. But it measured at .20 I believe. Dont know if I'll wash this one. Maybe just a quick and easy rince when I need it. Guess it pays to take your mic with you. They had 3 remnants of pillow ticking bolts.
I thought them as thin, medium, and thicker.
Don't know why this font got so large. But it easier for me to read. Thanks to all who helped.

YES! absolutely wash the sizing out of the cloth … two cycles with a wee bit of washsoap, then spin on gentle, then dry in the dryer. As regards the cutter, these are fantastic gadgets... get a rotary cutter and one of those clever cutting mats - ask the sales folks at the JoAnn's fabrics how to use it (get the cute one to show you)...

for the best advice on how to get the proper fabric for your rifle, check out Dutch Schoultz' method … here's a link:

http://blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com/

do not, of course, use any fabric with synthetic components in it … i.e rayon, polyester, etc. these fibers will melt as they go down the barrel and leave a dreadful mess. stick with cotton, muslin, and linen... Mr. Schoultz' method will tell you how to properly measure and lube the fabric.

MSW said:

As regards the cutter, these are fantastic gadgets... get a rotary cutter and one of those clever cutting mats - ask the sales folks at the JoAnn's fabrics how to use it (get the cute one to show you)....

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You should realize when they see someone wander over to the utility cloth aisle and pull out a micrometer, the "cute ones" run off and hide.

Very interesting!

Kinda related to this thread. There is going to be a major renovation at our local Walmart Superstore. Rumor has it this will happen at most or all WMs in the country also. The renovation will involve eliminating several departments. Fabrics is one of them. So, if you get your ticking, or other patch cloth, from WM it would be a good idea to purchase as much as you can now. Buying from another store later (e.g. JoAnnes, Hobby Lobby, ect.) might result in something thinner or thicker than your fire rod likes. Stock up now.

Thanks for the heads up. ill have to check it out . that's where I've been getting mine.

Buy thick, nappy flannel cleaning and heavy pillow ticking or cotton duck cloth for patches. Was the ticking or duck cloth in hot water and dry with heat so as to encourage shrinking.

It was rumored several years ago that Walmart was going to eliminate their fabric department.
At the local stores, they did reduce the size of it but they didn't eliminate it and pillow ticking can still be bought there.

Hopefully, they aren't going to eliminate the whole department in their stores.