Favorite Fabrics

Just wondering if you *always* pre-wash your quilt backings?

Is there ever a reason NOT to?

quilter girl

I do -its a pain to get it all ironed after its been washed - but I always wash my fabric before using it - just the way I do it

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

I wash because the majority of the experts on the board say I need to. There is no way I'm going against what these people say!

littlehud

I don't wash most of my fabric before using so I don't wash my backs.

azdesertrat

I always do.this last one I am doing,I bought 108 inch fabric and three yards I knew I was takingit to a long armer and they like a little extra,and after washing it even though I took it out of the dryer immedaitley and folded it nicely it still got lots of wrinkles,and I hate to iron something that big.My solution you might ask? I took it to a dry cleaners and the pressed it for me,20 bucks but it was well worth it,I didn't have to do it!

Tiffany

If you wash the majority (or in my case ALL) of your fabric before you piece it, then you will also want to wash your backing fabric. If you are a quilter who doesn't wash her fabrics before making a quilt top, then it isn't as important to wash it. The main reason is shrinkage. You don't want your top and back to shrink differently because that could pull your stitches loose or cause other problems. I wash everything because I want any shrinkage to already have taken place, plus I want any excess dyes and chemicals removed from the fabric before I start working with it. Just my personal preference. :wink:

amma

I either prewash all or none lol

pookie ookie

I do prewash but I don't have a dryer. If I ever stuck some long ago project in a dryer... :0(

SaraSewing

Nope. I'm not a washer of either pieces, fronts, or backs. Unless it's specified in a swap.

joeyoz

I don't usually prewash anything. It's all personal preference.
We refer to it as quilters choice. :D :D :D