bearisgray

I broke one of my own quidelines a while back -

I made "pillowcases" for my couch cushions and did not pre-shrink the fabric.

They were quite roomy before I washed them. (Maybe two to three inches of "ease.") I've only washed them in tepid water, rinsed in cold water, and barely dry them. I can barely get them back on the cushions. Great work-out wrestling them back on.

So - I know I sound like a very broken record - if you think you are going to wash the item, I think it's a very good idea to wash/shrink the fabrics before cutting and sewing them.

quilter1962

Your wake up in the morning looking like Popeye after your workout. :wink:

A good tip for everyone to keep in mind - I'm afraid I'm one of those people who washes & presses fabrics before I put them away - sad I know LOL.

Tisha

sewjoyce

So sorry that you had a problem with your pillows!!

bearisgray

the cases do look nice and smooth on the cushions now! :-|

sewjoyce

That's all that's necessary :D :D :wink:

littlehud

It's a lesson to us all. I do not wash before using and I know I should.

katier825

I always prewash, but not just because of shrinkage. I prefer to get the chemicals out of the fabric due to my allergies.

Grandma Cindy

we now need a pic of them and your biceps,loll

Prism99

Was there any quilting in them?

Years ago I took a class from Harriet Hargrave and she showed us a *flannel* quilt she had made without pre-shrinking the fabric. She did it to prove that adequate quilting prevents fabric from shrinking in quilts. She doesn't prewash her fabrics, although she does test them for colorfastness.

amma

Sorry it takes a workout to get them on, but I am glad that they do fit and "nicely" :D :D :D Thanks for the reminder!