How do I dry batting after pre-shrinking?

**LUANNH** · 10-17-2012, 06:02 AM

I have about 10 yards of Warm and Natural I bought years ago and have not used it because it says to pre shrink it before using. I know I can soak it in Hot water in the bath tub on sheet to lift it buy but how do I dry it? I don't want it to fall apart before it gets put into my quilt and I don't think it will shrink all the way if I just dry it in the sun. It's going into a quilt thats for a gift so I don't want it to scrunch up too much when they wash it the first time. Oh yeah its 90" wide I'll probably cut off a little more than I need and only deal with that for now. Thanks for any help you can give me!!

**sandybeach** · 10-17-2012, 07:15 AM

I would put it in the washer to spin most of the water out. Then throw it in the dryer on warm to hot. I don't like the crinkled look on my quilts, so I always pre-shrink my batting.

**Lisa_wanna_b_quilter** · 10-17-2012, 07:30 AM

I'm just the opposite. I love the crinkled look so I never preshrink batting, but I agree with Sandybeach. Spin cycle sounds like your best bet for getting the bulk of the water out and then I'd stick in in the dryer. I think I'd check the lint trap frequently just in case.

**jodimarie** · 10-17-2012, 07:34 AM

before I put the entire piece of ''raw'' batting in the washer/dryer, I would cut out a 12 inch piece and see what happens!! I think the top and backing fabric are needed to hold the batting fibers together.....

I never pre-wash any fabric or batting and have very little shrinking issues....but I LOVE the old fashioned 'wrinkled' look that you get after that first washing and drying of a finished quilt

**Lori S** · 10-17-2012, 08:01 AM

I preshrink mine ( warm and natural) all the time ... toss it in the dryer.. after you spin out the excess water! It one of the reason I buy Warm and Natural as it does hold up to the dryer. Do stop the dryer periodically and reposition... about every 8 -10 minutes.

**Dar-midlife** · 10-17-2012, 12:56 PM

I always preshrink just like Lori S. here but I even put it in my front loader sometimes and put it on the "presoak" cycle so it just flips it once in a while. Othertimes I soak it in my laundry tub, drain and spin it out but it always goes into the dryer so however it will get washed and dried after it is into the quilt, it will be fine. I've been doing it for many years and it hasn't ever balled up or came apart. do follow her advice on re-positioning it ever little while.

Originally Posted by Lori S

I preshrink mine ( warm and natural) all the time ... toss it in the dryer.. after you spin out the excess water! It one of the reason I buy Warm and Natural as it does hold up to the dryer. Do stop the dryer periodically and reposition... about every 8 -10 minutes.

**Prissnboot** · 10-17-2012, 08:46 AM

I don't prewash my batting, but I seem to remember reading that if you do, then you put the batting by itself in the dryer, you end up with a huge ball of cotton, pretty much useless at that point. I hope you research this method before trying anything...perhaps you could baste it to a sheet, wash and dry it, then remove the basting?

**dunster** · 10-17-2012, 09:11 AM

I don't usually pre-wash batting, but I did once, just as Lori S did. W&N holds together very well.

**ghostrider** · 10-17-2012, 09:54 AM

I agree...spin twice and then pop it in the dryer. The scrim on W&N holds it together with no problem.

**owlvamp** · 10-17-2012, 10:00 AM

I have never washed batting either or pre-wash fabric. I have never had shrinkage problem. Thank goodness!

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