Is it a huge no-no to make toddler PJs out of non-flame retardant material?

[laurajetter]

I have recently picked up sewing as a hobby and still have a lot to learn, but so far it's been fun! Recently I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics with my friend who just started a sewing club and we picked up some supplies. We had agreed that I could use her pattern of toddler PJ/lounge pants. She showed me to the vast array of flannel material, and I picked out several cute patterns.

I'm still in the process of making them, but got the idea that I could also make a set of pants and a matching shirt as a gift for a friend's DD who is turning 2. I bought the pattern, but noticed the instructions mentioned that the fabric needs to be flame retardant.

I went back and checked the flannel fabrics, but they all were clearly marked that they were FLAMMABLE. Great. I had just bought a bunch for my son, and now I'm having doubts as to whether I should abandon the project altogether.

I asked a worker if they had flame retardant flannel and I was shown to a shelf that had about 4 patterns. This was a fabric superstore!!! I couldn't believe the poor selection! I don't understand what ALL those other flannel bolts were intended to be used for... obviously there are other things but I mean it seems like such a common material for PJs and so many patterns had sleeping themes.

So my question is, how bad is it REALLY to use non flame retardant material for PJs? Is that a recommendation only loosely regarded or is it something people wouldn't dare compromise? Would you be upset if your toddler got a gift of homemade PJs that weren't flame retardant? Also, is there a spray or something I can buy that makes them flame retardant?

Sorry for the long post; I appreciate any advice!

Laura

 

[Becky2005]

Honestly, I wouldn't care. 1/2 the time my kids sleep in shorts & t-shirts. Not even PJ material stuff, that includes the little guy.

I know for selling them it's supposed to be flame retardant or tight fitting. Since I can't stand tight fitting pj's, I always end up buying PJs in bigger sizes so they aren't tight fitting even though it tells you right on the tag they are supposed to be tight fitting. (when the kids aren't actually wearing just a regular t-shirt/short combo).

It wouldn't bother me at all if they got homemade PJ's in flannel that weren't flame retardent. I would probably love them, especially with the cute material they have out.

If I recall, if you end up washing the ones that ARE in fabric softner it reduces the flame retardent anyway??? I don't know if that's a fact or just one of those things I heard but never checked out.

That's just my opinion though.

 

[Nicolepa]

Well, from what I've heard, after a few washings the flame retardant washes out. That is why they have now started making them snug fitting as well. So if it were me I wouldn't worry too much about.

 

[xyzabc33]

As much as flame retardant material is a nice plus. I wouldnt worry whether or not they were if my child got some PJ's made by a loving friend. I would be appreciative of the thot they put into making them for my kid. I dont know much material out there that IS flame retardant. I dont know of a spray off the top of my head but I am sure something is out on the market that will do that. Would I use it on a gift for someone else's child? NO! I am not a person trained to treat fabric and I personally think that children come into contact with enuf chemicals on a daily basis.

Think about blankets and other bedding, how many of them for adults or children say Fire Proof.? (OK OK..didnt want to type the long word again.:-D)

BTW...even if you have the treated kind, they eventually lose that attribute with numerous normal machine washing. I tested it once. The treatment does not last forever. Personally I HATED the smell of the flame retardant kind of PJ's when I was little. BLEH! Nasty smell. But then again I have a super sensitive nose. ;-)

 

[xyzabc33]

Well, from what I've heard, after a few washings the flame retardant washes out. That is why they have now started making them snug fitting as well. So if it were me I wouldn't worry too much about.

The snug fitting is to prevent choking hazards isn't it?

BTW...my DD wears a size 4-5 so I will be waiting for a package...PSSST! She likes anything Disney.....LOL

 

[autumnbaby9]

My DM made DD lots of PJ's for XMas and none of them are made out of flame retardant material. I can't imagine anyone even thinking about it if they recieved a pair for a gift but then again it is not something I worry about too often.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Disney PJ Pals are made with flammable fabrics....if you read the tags, it states they are supposed to fit snug because of that. I would not be afraid to put my children in homemade flannel jammies just because they are flammable. I would say 90% of their PJ's are from Disney and aren't flame retardent anyway. I would just make sure they fit properly - not necessarily tight.

 

[laurajetter]

Thanks everyone! You've all confirmed my hunch that most people wouldn't have a problem with it, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't way off base! I will go ahead with making the PJs.

 

[Nicolepa]

The snug fitting is to prevent choking hazards isn't it?

No, they are snug fitting, because it is harder to catch fire when it is snug. Loose fabric can catch a flame easier than snug fabric.

 

[ckay87]

This always puzzled me. Isn't it just easier to keep a toddler away from a flame

 

[NAB]

Fire retartent does not wash off.....you would lose it though if you used fabric softeners. The same goes with water proofing on clothes like winter jackets. It wears it down.

Saying that I use fabric softener especially on flannel. So I would use p.j.'s with out.

I think is for more when a child is sleeping and a fire breaks out.

 

[poohandwendy]

If they are not going to be made out of flame retardant material, I think it's important that they are made of natural materials (cotton) rather than synthetic.

Mainly because they are less likely to cause really bad problems if they do catch on fire (God forbid) Synthetic fibers not only catch fire easily, but also stick to the burn victim when they melt. (sorry to be morbid, but couldn't think of another way to put it)

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Not only would I be appreciative of a gift like this, I would pay you to make more!!!

I abhor the pajama regulations. It's not about safety in case of fire; it's because kids caught fire playing around candles and space heater elements.

We now use regular cotton shirts and sweats for PJs.

 

[pperfectmom]

I agree with what everyone has said. I normally try to buy pj's that ARE NOT fire resistant because I don't like the synthetic fabrics and because of the chemical they use. I figure if my kids are in a fire the fabric won't make much difference anyways(not meaning to be morbid-just honest). I, too, want you to send me some of the ones you make! Maybe you could sell them on ebay.

 

[LiteBrite]

Am I the only person who read the first word in the title of this thread not as sewers (people who sew) but sewers (under the street, where the yukky stuff goes)?

 

[laurajetter]

I knew I could count on you all for an answer... The first thing I said to DH when we were at the fabric store trying to figure out my dilemma (after checking with an employee who didn't shed much light) was "I gotta get home and ask everyone on the Dis... they'll know!"

Not only would I be appreciative of a gift like this, I would pay you to make more!!!

Aww, thanks!! Hopefully they turn out okay (like I said, I'm new at this)... otherwise, I'm off to Target!

 

[laurajetter]

Am I the only person who read the first word in the title of this thread not as sewers (people who sew) but sewers (under the street, where the yukky stuff goes)?

Ha ha! I was wondering when someone was going to say that! That was the first thing I noticed when I posted the thread!

 

[sha_lyn]

Mainly because they are less likely to cause really bad problems if they do catch on fire (God forbid) Synthetic fibers not only catch fire easily, but also stick to the burn victim when they melt. (sorry to be morbid, but couldn't think of another way to put it)

yrs ago my grandmother's polyester PJ bottoms caught on fire when she brushed up against a gas space heater. The fabric melted into the burns. It was horrible. Her legs and hands(from trying to put out the fire) were severly burned

 

[ckay87]

Am I the only person who read the first word in the title of this thread not as sewers (people who sew) but sewers (under the street, where the yukky stuff goes)?

Yes! And it took me a little while to get past that! I could not wrap my mind around the relationship between sewers and toddlers!

 

[sha_lyn]

Am I the only person who read the first word in the title of this thread not as sewers (people who sew) but sewers (under the street, where the yukky stuff goes)?

LOL I thought the same thing