Read the Fabric Label!

The hem of DD's pants were getting really ratty, and I needed to start halloween costumes, so we all (me +2 DDs) went to Joanne's. Of course the costumes they want take a LOT of cloth (ttto $100 or so), so to go cheap I looked at the remnants for  the pantleg border. I didn't examine the label too well, and was done with the sewing (which came out nicely) before I read "hand-wash". The cloth was flannel/felt-like, and is listed as 100% polyester.

So, is this likely to be a fall-apart issue or a non-colorfast issue? (I'd say to heck with it, if it's color).

If it's soft like flannel, it may be to keep the nap of the fabric.  Or because of the heat of a dryer damaging the polyester.

If it's just a costume, I'd say go for it and use it to save the money!

What did your kids decide to go as this year?!?

No that isn't the costume; that was for school clothes.

What the kids are going as are two characters from a fantasy novel -- "Death" and "Susan". Death is the classic depiction, long robes, hood, and (we'll buy) a scythe. Susan I'm trying to make from Disney's Snow White (what have I gotten into?) in mostly black with a little grey.