I bought some really pretty and vibrant Christmas prints in deep reds, blues and greens plus a few ivory matching prints. This is the first time I will be using such dark colors so I know I should pre-wash (I have done 6 quilt tops so far and haven't pre-washed anything yet). I am wondering about the following:

Do you use your washing machine or just fill up the utility sink and do it by hand (the lady at my LQS mentioned she does it in her sink)?

What temperature do you use?

Do you use laundry soap or just water?

Do you dry on super hot or just regular temperature?

The LQS lady mentioned she likes to dry in the dryer just about 5 to 8 minutes and while it is still damp press. This sounds like a good idea.

Any other pointers?? I am doing Christmas quilts for my family as a surprise for Christmas so I have to be super covert in making these. Not sure I can pull off making 4 quilts without my kids or husband seeing but I'm going to try. My husband isn't very curious or very observant buy my daughter is very hard to pass something off under her nose!!

personally....... most of the time I just use the sink....( unless I have ALOT of fabric, which is rare. ( for cotton fabric)
I fill the sink with hot water..... a dash of detergent and let it soak for several hours.. if it is a particualrly bright color or I see it is bleeding into the water... I will empty and refill the water. Rinse well, then I toss it intot eh washer for a good spin.... intot he dryer it goes and again on hot...... iron as necessary.

I use the washing machine, cold water, and little soap. Do not add fabric softener!!
I normally don't wash anything in hot, so figure why should I wash my fabrics in hot and draw the dyes right out of them. I bought some batiks from an Amish quilt shop in PA and she told me the same thing. Wash as you normally would the quilt after it is made.
I know some don't agree with this, but works for me.

Small pieces get rinsed in the sink. These pieces get wrung out and I then flatten them on a towel. Roll the towel up and wring the towel. Most of the water comes out and they can be ironed dry.

Larger pieces go in the washer, cold water. I dry them in the hot dryer but take them out before they are crisp. Smooth and fold to make future ironing easier. No detergent, no softener, no dryer sheet (in case I want to applique).

I prewash fabric the same way I do my laundry. I wash in cold water and dry on regular heat. I use detergent but not fabric softener. I do use Color Catchers especially with reds and purples. If the Color Catchers seem really saturated with dye when I finish, I'll re-launder with another Color Catcher.

Hot water & soap in washing machine with a color catcher if lots of colors, into hot dryer, fold and press later as needed.
Small pieces I wash in bathroom sink.

I do the same

Lots of great tips:)

I do the same[/quote]

Me, too, and I take them out of the dryer a little damp, and iron them right then while their damp. (I hate to have to start ironing when I'm ready to start a new project!

:)

Can you buy color catchers at Target or Wal-mart? Is there a brand I should be looking for (and are they called Color Catchers)? I haven't seen these before. I did start buying a washing machine cleaning agent as I have a front load washer now so I use the Tide brand cleaning crystals--they are hard to find.