Thread: Help needed

I use a mess bag or pillow case, washing like colors in the bags, doesn't ravel and get tangled use it in the dryer also. That was I can also wash with other clothes of like colors.

Originally Posted by islandwiz1

When I buy new fabric what am I suppose to do so it won't ravel and get all tangled?

You mean when pre-washing fabric? I avoid the problem by not pre-washing. I test fabrics I suspect might bleed. I am not concerned about shrinkage because I quilt sufficiently close that the batting controls shrinkage, not the fabrics.

When pre-washing fabrics, it helps if there are few cut edges. You will get a *lot* more ravels and tangles with a load of fat quarters than you will with one piece of yardage. Some people serge or zigzag raw edges before they wash. Some cut the edges with pinking shears. Some cut the corners of the raw edges off. I think I tried everything and was not happy with the results, and then I attended a Harriet Hargrave class and learned how not to prewash fabrics. I much prefer this!

I just moved to a new city and there was no washer/dryer in this new house. I chose a front load machine. Wow! No fraying of the edges - even flannel! I washed 8 yards of flannel without a problem and then my next load was 23 yards of normal cottons. Each fabric was removed from the washer and dryer without threads being tangled and without the fabric being all twisted. Pre-washing fabric will be a joy in this house. With the top load wringer machine I used to have I would pink the edges of all flannels using a wavy rotary blade. For the regular cottons I simply (not really simple at all) wrangled them apart when removing them from the washing machine and then I had scissors handy in my laundry room for cutting out the tangles that I couldn't rip out. I suggest a new washing machine if that is in your budget.

I stitch up the cut ends before washing. I wash on delicate cycle as well, and don't have any raveling.
Cheaper fabric will have more raveling than LQS quality fabric. One way to tell the quality of your fabric.

Zig-Zag if one doesn't have a serger