Laminated Cotton Pastry Mat

As you may have noticed, I haven't done a tutorial for you all in ages. I've been so busy with my upcoming book, Sewing with Oilcloth, and all my new creative efforts have been a bit top-secret.

But don't fret, I found a really quick project to share. A few weeks ago a customer asked me if oilcloth would be good to use as a pastry mat, my answer is no, not oilcloth but what about laminated cotton? 

The idea lead me to go back and ask good people at Freespirit and Westminster Fabrics if they had tested their laminated cottons for food safety yet. Well, the answer was yes, it has been tested and it is food safe. What great news is that?? When I asked the same question last May the answer wasn't available, so I was thrilled to get this news. 

CORRECTION:  After having a discussion about the food safe fabrics with another blogger I contacted the good people at Westminter and Freespririt fabrics and asked for tangible proof that laminated cotton is indeed food safe. Unfortunately the company hasn't tested the fabric for "food safety" at this time and makes no claim that the laminated cotton is food safe. They did apologize for any misinformation previously given. 

So let's talk turkey, no one's saying that it's not food safe, it just hasn't been tested. Please know that I strive to give you all the latest news about such things, if I hear more on this issue I'll be sure to give you all the facts.  

Like everything in life, educate yourself and make the best decision for your family.  

The fabric Westiminster company sent me the lab results proving that their laminated cotton is BPA-free.  I'll be contacting them for the PVC test result and to confirm that the laminated fabric is CPSIA compliment as I understand it to be.

Back to this super simple project! I had forgotten about the mat idea until I was about to make heart-shaped pizza's for Valentines Day. The last time I made dough I through away my Tupperware dough mat because it was totally gross and melted from a little cookie pan incident! Well, I ran into the Modern June studio and whipped up a new dough mat out of the Heather Bailey, Hop Dot laminate!

I literally made this in less than 10 minutes!

Materials:
2/3 yards of laminated cotton
Wide ruler or square
pencil
glue stick (my new found BFF)
Pinking shears or a fancy rotary cutter and mat
matching thread

Step 1: On the back of your fabric use your wide ruler or square to draw two 24" squares. 

Step 2: Cut out your squares using your pinking shears or rotary cutter and mat. I used a rotary cutter with a crimped edge. (note: a really sharp blade is best when cutting the laminated cotton, it's a bit tricky to cut with a dull blade)

Step 3: Use a glue stick instead of pins to bring the two layers of laminated cotton wrong sides together. A thin layer of glue along the stitch like was all it took to keep the two pieces together.

Step 4: Using a 1/2" seam allowance stitch the mat closed on all four sides. If you have a roller or teflon foot handy use that to keep the laminated side of the fabric from sticking to your foot. If you don't have a fancy foot, no worries click here for our tape tip. As for needles, we used to suggest a microtex needle but we have found that an nice new all-purpose needle will do you just fine!

Step 5: All that is left is to start baking! To get you laminated mat to stick to your counter just use a use a clean dishcloth to dampen your counter before you lay it down. To clean it up, just whip it down with a soapy dishcloth and air dry. I told you its easy-peasy and super pretty.

Q & A: Is laminated cotton a good choice for snack bags?

Q: Can you use the laminated cotton for reusable snack bags?

A: Laminated cottons are waterproof and easy to clean so it's a great choice for snack bags. According to the test results that I received from Westminster Fibers, Inc ALL of the laminated cottons that I carry have been tested and proved to be be BPA and PVC free. These are the chemicals that we don't want leaching in to our sandwiches. Which is why I don't recommend using oilcloth for projects that store food. While many people feel comfortable with knowing that the fabric is PVC and BPA-free every person has to make the decision that's right for them.

Laminated cotton has a thin layer of polyurethane on the right side of the fabric only so you will want to line your snack bags with another layer of laminated cotton. I recommend leaving the lining loose so you can slid it out and clean it thoroughly. I also recommend hand washing any laminated cotton project, as water gets trapped between the layers of laminated cotton and has a really hard time drying out properly. We now sell laminated cotton in Fat Quarters, it's the perfect size for snack bags!

My upcoming book, Sewing with Oilcloth, has a pattern for a really great snack bag and another for a sandwich wrap. Head over to Amazon and pre-order you copy today!!! (Yes, that is my first shameless plug. I am sure there will be many more to come!)

UPDATE:  I contacted Westminster Fibers, INC to see if they had run this fabric through testing to see if it was "food safe" and they haven't tested it and don't have plans to. So I can't say for sure that it is or isn't food safe.

I can say that it is PVC and BPA free. From what I have read this is good indication, but of course I am NOT a scientist and I don't even play on TV.  ; )

As with all the big questions in life we have to educate ourselves and do what's right for us and our families.

Hope this helps. I really wish I could give a concrete answer. I really do. : ) I'll keep asking the hard questions to these company and hopefully someday we'll get an answer.

Happy sewing,
Kelly

Q and A: The wrong side of laminated cotton

This super cute fabric will be arriving in March, but I got a hold of some to play with early!! Stay tuned!!

Q: What does the backside of the laminate cotton look like and just to verify, it is food safe?

A The back side of laminated cotton is just cotton fabric. Unfortunately, the fabric manufacturers have not had their fabric tested for food safety. Here's what I know about food safety and fabric..

Q: Thank you, is the back side printed or solid white?

A: Laminated cotton is a two process fabric. First the design is printed onto cotton, just like a quilting cotton would be. Then the printed fabric is laminated with a thin coating of polyurethane.

I have attached a photo with the wrong side of a fabric that will becoming out next month. You can clearly see the monkey's on the back side.

Thanks for asking, I hope this helps,
Kelly

Great Idea for Laminated Cotton-Reusable Gift Bags

I just found this wonderful Reusable Gift Bag tutorial from Firefly Hill Designs via Craft Gossip, how cute would this be made out of the new Amy Butler laminates?  When I saw it I thought it would very fun for snacks as well as gift giving, heck, I am thinking holiday gift snacks bags might be a lot of fun! 

A note on PUL and Food Safety:  From everything I have read PUL--this laminated cotton--is most likely food safe since it doesn't contain PVC or BPA.  At this time the manufacturers do not have FDA approval, it is some peoples opinion that this is in the works.  This is great news for the young family and mother earth.  Now remember, I am not an scientist and I don't work with FDA so take this with a grain of salt, please do you own research if you have any concerns.    


A NOTE ON THE SAFTEY OF OILCLOTH:  Please note that the recent Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) prohibits oilcloth garments such as bibs and aprons or toys for children While there are no heavy metals in oilcloth, it may not be suited for Snack Bags and Sandwich Wraps especially for children.  I suggest using the more family friendly Laminated Cottons.