every class I have taken on quilting they say it is not necessary to prewash the fabrics are so much better than old days. Most of them do not shrink that much and most do not run.
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every class I have taken on quilting they say it is not necessary to prewash the fabrics are so much better than old days. Most of them do not shrink that much and most do not run.
"Most" should be the operative word in that statement.Originally Posted by newbee3
I prefer to know that ALL the fabrics I am using in an item will not bleed and will not shrink.
I agree with bearisgray. I have always prewashed everything. One I can't stand the smell. 2nd. many hands touch the fabric and you don't know where they've been.
I am old school and was taught to always wash my fabrics (obviously can't with pre-cuts) I either dry until damp or store them in a bag damp while I dry iron it all. Never had a problem doing it this way as far as shrinkage is concerned anyway, a few years ago before fabric was the cost that it is today I bought some fabric from a well-known designer that cost $10.00 a yard it did things I've never seen before, it frayed like nothing I ever had and became so wonky that the amount of shrinkage was about 2 1/4 inches. Still have it the shop wouldn't take it back because it had been washed, the manager told me she would get a piece of it and if it happened to her she would give me a refund but she never did! Needless to say they lost my business.
Maria
Always be true to yourself!
I agree with bearisgray. I just washed a batch of red that bled like crazy...thank you for Retayne!
If you choose the behavior, you accept the consequences...Dr. Phil
Perhaps, but they also have many times more chemicals added than ever before. Everything from stiffeners to insect repellants, sizing to formaldehyde, all to keep them looking fresh on their long journey from the Far East to your local shop.
The Earth without art is just "Eh".
I agree with the comments above,, prewash, don' t crowd in dryer, take out promptly, fold and store until ready to use, then iron and starch lightly when ready to cut.
Texas Sunshine, piney woods of NE Texas
I just bought two one yard pieces of fabric, threw them in the washer on the rinse & spin cycle, then into the dryer. The trick to not getting wrinkles is to have enough 'stuff' in that the dryer isn't overcrowded, but enough so that things don't just 'clump' as they dry. So I added a bath towel and the fabric came out great. I don't add starch until ready to use....as it draws silverfish. Yucky little things. But you need to figure out your way. People on here would choke on their tea/coffee if I told How I do batiks. Do what works for you. Experiment until you are happy with the results.
"A woman is like a tea bag-you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt
I would like to know how you do yourbatiks. Promise I won't choke. I throw mine in hot water, normal cycle, then after spraying with water and vinegar spritz, toss into the dryer with other fabric.
Batiks are the only fabrics I prewash. I wash them in hot water with Retayne and a color catcher. The catcher comes out clean. I dry them in the dryer.
I did wash some non batik fabrics once, because I was collecting them from a variety of sources, and some had that "basement" smell. After drying I ironed with Best Press, and afterwards wished I had starched. They were not as easy to work with as my new, nonwashed fabrics are.
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