To check a fabric to see if it is going to bleed I place a swatch in a microwavable dish. I cover the swatch with water and set the timer on high for one-two minutes. By using this method I found some fabrics that I planned to use did color the water so did not use them in my quilt. The fabric does not fray in the microwave but I don't know if it would determine shrinkage. Something I am going to check out.

Bottom line, never wash or steam press precut quilt kits. It is never a good idea to over handle those pieces, either. Those pieces are cut using some precise method and you do not want them to become out of shape prior to sewing together. Once your quilt top is made and quilted all the pieces will behave regarding shrinkage during washing. To prevent possiblity of any color bleeding, I highly recommend using a dye magnet sheet and never allow a wet or damp quilt to lay on itself. Wet or damp fabric will leach itself and that can be disasterous. Don't ask me how I know this. I may cry. :cry:

Charlie,

When fabric is woven or printed, it has 'sizing' on it to keep it moving along the loom and to keep it from getting caught in rollers - it is what makes new fabric have that stiff feel. Once you wash them, the detergent takes the sizing out and 'puffs' up the fibers - like you see with flannel.

I will get extra for fabrics I know will shrink - I've had cottons shrink as much as 4" a yard! So, now I always get an extra few inches per yard.

Regarding the pre-cut pieces, I would not wash them...I've had them work their way out of the laundry bag to vanish in that kingdom where the mates to the mismatched socks are.. . or to disintegrate into fuzz in the dryer.

I have sprayed finished squares with a light soap mixture and then rinsed, towel-dried, and then dried flat. This seems to work well.

Hope this helps. Lisa

I always prewash my fabric with a color catcher and a white piece of fabric to see if it bleeds on the white I am doing a blue and white quilt and a dark blue fabric ran and after 3 washings and actually changed to a grey color. I have been quilting 11 years and I prewsh all my fabric. I also would not participate in a block of the month if the fabric was not
washed.
Bob

Bob, welcome to the Quilting Board! You are our first male poster. :D Congrats on 11 years of quilting, you obviously have much to share. We have a chatroom accessible from the link at top of page, and have scheduled chats on Sunday from 3pm-5pm EST and Wednesday 2-4pm EST. Please share your experience with us and feel free to post a picture now and again. I am always looking for inspiration.

When I wash small pieces of fabric I always put them in mesh laundry bags to keep them together. I also use them for many other things great for stockings which I never put in a dryer and other item of small clothing . I have the bags in everal sizes.\Martha P

I also use sizing before cutting. I was shown in Beaumont at the Sew What Store how much nicer the blocks look when tey are well pressed and have a good bit of spray starch or sizing.
Martha P

For some reason I missed the info on the chat room. GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Martha P

Martha, the chat schedule has changed from my previous post. You can access the schedule on the Main page. Any changes will appear there. Hope to chat with you soon.

I have to confess I have NEVER washed any fabric before making a quilt. Half the pleasure to me is handling new fabric. So far, had no problems with this method.