Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Washing fabric before sewing? >
  • Washing fabric before sewing?

  • Washing fabric before sewing?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 05-15-2008, 03:59 PM
      #1  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Posts: 115
    Default

    Is it better to wash fabric before you sew, or after?

    I've read that people prefer to wash before for shrinkage, but the directions for the kits I bought (100% cotton) say not to wash first. So I'm unsure what to do. :?
    moonhoney2 is offline  
    Old 05-15-2008, 04:04 PM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    MissTreated's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2008
    Location: N61° 6.1839', W149° 52.0138'
    Posts: 1,211
    Default

    I think it's a personal thing. Some I do, some I don't. A bed quilt that is going to be laundered, I most definitely will. Wall hangings, not always. A lot of people believe because of the rigors batiks go through, they won't shrink, but I think some of them do.

    It's up to you.

    M
    MissTreated is offline  
    Old 05-15-2008, 04:09 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    jbsstrawberry's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2007
    Location: Central Illinois
    Posts: 3,311
    Default

    What kind of kit is it? Normally, I prewash everything for quilting, but if its a kit that says do not, I don't. For some reason, if I'm making clothing I prefer not to prewash.
    jbsstrawberry is offline  
    Old 05-15-2008, 05:03 PM
      #4  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Posts: 115
    Default

    THey are two small quilt kits. One is a small child's blanket, the other a 39x58in blanket. 100% cotton. One has the top and bottom layer, the other is only the top. Neither have the batting.

    I guess I can wash one and not the other and see how they turn out? There is the thread and batting to think about too. Those shrink as well, right? So maybe it's better to wash it all when it's done so they can shrink at the same pace?

    This wasn't supposed to be so complicated! :lol:
    moonhoney2 is offline  
    Old 05-15-2008, 05:10 PM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Moonpi's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2007
    Location: Central FL
    Posts: 4,829
    Default

    I would be willing to bet if the pieces are pre-cut, they are saying not to wash because of ravelling. If you don't wash the individual pieces, I'd certainly reccommend washing assembled top and backing before quilting. I use color grabber cloths that catch excess dye to be on the safe side.
    Moonpi is offline  
    Old 05-15-2008, 05:32 PM
      #6  
    Power Poster
     
    amma's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2007
    Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-)
    Posts: 58,856
    Default

    The fabric in the kits could also be from different fabric lines, they could end up shrinking differently and your blocks may not end up matching well. I would do like Moonpi said, just to be on the safe side.
    amma is offline  
    Old 05-15-2008, 05:33 PM
      #7  
    Senior Member
     
    rein's Avatar
     
    Join Date: May 2007
    Location: Eagle Point, OR
    Posts: 492
    Default

    OK Moonpi - I BITE! What on earth is a "grabber cloth"?
    rein is offline  
    Old 05-15-2008, 05:37 PM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    jbsstrawberry's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2007
    Location: Central Illinois
    Posts: 3,311
    Default

    color grabbers are made by shout I do believe, you throw them in the washer with your fabric/clothes whatever, and if anything bleeds during the wash the grabber cloth catches it and keeps the dye out of the other fabrics.
    jbsstrawberry is offline  
    Old 05-16-2008, 02:22 AM
      #9  
    Senior Member
     
    mary705's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2006
    Location: Pinellas Park, FL
    Posts: 607
    Default

    I love those things. Use em in every load of laundry except my whites. Ans it is vy shout, JoAnns carries some too, but buy the Shot Color Catchers, and they even have a 55 cent off coupon on the inside of every box.

    I washed all 62 of my FQ a couple weeks ago (many different colors) in one load and they came out beautifully.
    mary705 is offline  
    Old 05-16-2008, 02:23 AM
      #10  
    Moderator
     
    Join Date: Jan 2007
    Location: In the middle of a mess...
    Posts: 20,025
    Default

    Originally Posted by jbsstrawberry
    color grabbers are made by shout I do believe, you throw them in the washer with your fabric/clothes whatever, and if anything bleeds during the wash the grabber cloth catches it and keeps the dye out of the other fabrics.
    I should have had some of those on hand when I did hubbys whites. Didn't realize there was a burgandy pillow case stuck in the washer and I didn't see it. Well, needless to say...he won't wear his pink underwear lol
    tlrnhi is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    IrishNY
    Main
    20
    07-21-2019 03:43 PM
    Juzsayin
    Main
    12
    05-01-2013 05:37 AM
    Nanamoms
    Main
    78
    10-21-2011 07:30 PM
    Lou Lou
    Main
    84
    06-22-2010 06:20 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter