fat quarters
 

Hello to all, I just bought some fat quarters to start my first quilt. Do I need to wash them before using? Do I need to be concerned about shrinkage? They are 100% cotton. Thanks!

Well speaking for myself I have never washed the FQ I have used. But I know there are people who do but I think they either zig zag around the outside or use a serger to prevent to much unraveling (knots).

You will get many answers...some prewash, some don't. I am one of the ones that doesn't prewash. I haven't ever had any problems with bleeding, so would rather not have to go through all the washing, drying, ironing, resizing the fabrics if I don't have to.

I use the bathroom sink and soak them with a bit of detergent....just enough to get rid of sizing chemicals....you will know very quickly if one of them is a bleeder and likely to cause problems.....the problem children get tossed into a pan of very hot water with retayne for about 20 minutes.....then all go to the dryer

i'm with the better safe than sorry crowd and prewash all my fabrics. i never buy the precuts, though, so don't know about washing those.

Thanks for your help!

Really appreciate your input..thanks!

If you are able to wash anklets, thong underwear, a bikini swimsuit, and/or handkerchiefs, then it should be a fairly easy leap to washing something the size of a FQ!

I do overcast the raw edges before washing them, but they can be put in a lingerie bag before putting them in the washer - or just soaked in a sink.

I wash all my fabrics, including FQ's, in the washing machine, on a gentle cycle with woolwash as soon as I bring them home. I belong in the 'better safe than sorry' camp and would prefer not to have any nasty little surprises further down the track.

I have never pre-washed any quilting fabric. Never have had a problem.