Good morning,

I pre-washed some fabric for the first time last night (for a swap that requires it) and have some quesitons for everyone:

- What can I do to stop the sides from fraying? I've read about clipping corners, zig-zag, washing on gentle... is there anything else? I lost a good 1/2 inch of fabric from fraying... I can't imagine what it would do to a fat quarter. :(

- If I use starch when I press the fabrics after drying, will they regain their crispness (one of the reasons I never have prewashed is that I really like the crispness of the fabric when piecing).

- Would just soaking the fabric count as washing for a swap?

Thank you in advance for your wisdom! :)

I've never been in a swap but when I buy BOM kits they give you much to spare so I just soak them in very warm water for a few minutes then lay them on a towel to dry and then starch and iron because I like that crispness too, I think it cuts better.

I trim all of the cut edges using a rotary cutter with a pinking blade before I wash. If I'm washing more than 1 1/2 yards, I also sew the two ends together with a zig-zag stitch and then cut it off before I iron. I use the express cycle on my washer, and if I'm only washing a few fat qtrs, I wash them in the sink. I dry them in the dryer with a couple of clean OLD towels, which helps dry the fabric very quickly (less tumbling).

I wash by hand in the sink. I fold FQs into 3 folds then in half, all raw edges enclosed. Larger pieces fold in the raw edges and fold loosely. Only warm water, then cold rinses. Charms and eighths I put inside a folded clean cloth to wash. I drip dry, or charms and eighths I roll in a towel. It takes longer but I wash as I buy so I keep up with it.

Soaking is not going to help with shrinking cause by agitation or heat. Next time you're at a Dollar Tree or any dollar store, pick ip a lingerie washing bag. They are wort their weight in gold. For larger pieces, I've zigzagged edges, too, using loose, wide stitches that are easy to take out.

Thanks for all your responses (I knew you wouldn't let me down)! ;-)

What is the difference between sizing and starch? Where would I find sizing? Why would you want to wash (to get it off) and then put it back on (just curious) - or is the main reason for washing to avoid shrinking?

You treat your fabric the same as you would a quilt......hot water fades, harsh detergents are a no........Hand wash and hang or damp dry , then iron. If you use a machine use fragile cycle. I only wash if I have to or the colors are such that I want to test them. Do it your way.......no quilt police allowed here :D

Yay!! I don't like quilt police... :oops:

I have always prewashed my fabric for a couple of reasons. Allergies being the biggest. Fabric is made with many chemicals so I try to get that out of my fabric first, Second I want to know if the fabric is going to bleed or not, and I use the Color Catchers you buy in the grocery store in the with the fabric. If the pieces are small, like fat qtrs or charm squares they go in a net lingere bag so I don't loose them in the washer. but to each his own. Some people never wash their fabric. Marge