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Before I start to cut any fabric, especially with colors that are notorious for bleeding, I snip a piece off and put it in a glass of fairly warm water, let it sit for awhile or until I get back to it, then I stir it around in the glass. If the water stays clear after all of that, I go ahead and use without washing.
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I prefer not to wash cotton fabrics, but it is better to wah flannels since they all can shrink at different rates.
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I don't wash my fabrics. I did one time because I was new at quilting and someone of authority told me I had to. It turned out to be a nightmare to iron. I figured she could wash her fabric but I didn't have to listen to her. She wasn't my boss. I have never had anything shrink too much or bleed or any other problem and I've been quilting since 1992. I am allergic to grass and gluten and a whole lot of other things and have to use 3 different nose sprays every day and an inhaler but the fabric doesn't bother me a bit! I was put on the nose spray and inhaler when I had a 3 year break in quilting, so it is not the fabric. Thank God!!
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Originally Posted by crashnquilt
(Post 5797094)
I prewash all my fabrics not only for shrinkage but to remove the chemicals in the fabrics, most importantly formaldehyde. Also, fabrics from different manufacturers will shrink differently. Some shrink lengthwise more than crosswise and vice versa. Prewashing fabric makes it much easier to reset the straight of grain for the fabric as well. If I use a cotton, cotton blend, bamboo, wool or any other natural batting I will preshrink the batt. I will spritz it very well with a water bottle and then put into the dryer with a wet towel and dry on my highest setting. Batting will shrink in all kinds of directions, and I don't want my finished quilt to look strange after it's first wash.
I am a very strong supporter for prewashing fabrics. This will not happen to most people but this is something I think we should all be much aware. Most woven fabrics have a finish that is applied before it is rolled onto a bolt. This is to prevent the fabric from rubbing holes into itself while on the bolt and being handled. It is also to prevent dirt and oils from hands discoloring the fabric in the stores. That finishing solution has a lot of formaldehyde in it. The formaldehyde prevents the fabric from attracting bugs, and kills any larvae that may still be in the threads. Formaldehyde can cause reactions in people, i.e. light coughing, running nose, stuffy nose, itchy eyes and in rare cases skin rashes. There are other more severe reactions but those are pretty rare. In my case, it is my eyes, actually more my eye lids. The scratching has caused all my eyelashes to come out, (i have actually scratched them out) and my eye lids are very swollen. I have to wash my eyes with baby shampoo 3 times a day (no makeup for me) then apply one drop of medicine in each eye, and apply an ointment to my lids. Sorry to be so windy, but I really want others to know. |
This subject has been discussed many times, here and elsewhere. I think we all need to accept there is no wrong or right way, just different ways. Do whichever suits you.
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crashnquilt said it very well I am bothered by some allergys and my doctor told me to not even store unwashed fabric in my house the formaldehyde is very bad stuff she also said there was lots of other chemicals in it that I should not breathe I also wash my batting but do not agitate soak for 15 or 20 min.in warm water dry on delicate and I have never hada problem with it coming apart
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I wash for shrikage and bleeding, but also for ... CRITTERS! Seriously, you don't know where your fabric has been from start to finish. Can't hurt ... and it sure can help.
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For those of you who pre-wash your fabric can you tell me what you do about the fabric fraying during the washing.
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I am a very strong supporter for prewashing fabrics. This will not happen to most people but this is something I think we should all be much aware. Most woven fabrics have a finish that is applied before it is rolled onto a bolt. This is to prevent the fabric from rubbing holes into itself while on the bolt and being handled. It is also to prevent dirt and oils from hands discoloring the fabric in the stores. That finishing solution has a lot of formaldehyde in it. The formaldehyde prevents the fabric from attracting bugs, and kills any larvae that may still be in the threads. Formaldehyde can cause reactions in people, i.e. light coughing, running nose, stuffy nose, itchy eyes and in rare cases skin rashes. There are other more severe reactions but those are pretty rare. In my case, it is my eyes, actually more my eye lids. The scratching has caused all my eyelashes to come out, (i have actually scratched them out) and my eye lids are very swollen. I have to wash my eyes with baby shampoo 3 times a day (no makeup for me) then apply one drop of medicine in each eye, and apply an ointment to my lids.
.....so, I presume you have to wash all fabric you come in contact with i.e., clothing, linens, uphostered furniture, drapes, etc? Or does this process just apply to fabric on the bolt? Sorry to hear about this dreadful condition, hope it get better for you--how was it determined that this was the culprit of your allergic reaction????? Just curious.......good to know and this might help others........Be Well!!!! |
The only fabric I usually prewash is flannel. Otherwise I wash the quilt when it's completely finished. If I'm worried about bleeding colors I use Retayne.
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