Washing a new quilt
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 4,299
I always wash them because:
- I want to give it "pre-crinkled"; I don't want the recipient to think they ruined the quilt when it comes out of the dryer the first time.
- as others have mentioned; to catch any mistakes. I've had binding where I somehow totally missed a side when I was attaching it (I bind by machine) and it came out of the dryer all stringy and weird and had to be hand-sewn to fix it.
- final test for runs in the fabric - I pre-wash unless I'm using precuts but I still like the double check.
- removing cat hair, hand oil, Elmer's glue, chalk lines...
And I also like to be able to tell people it's been "tested" - I think people are a lot more comfortable tossing the quilt into the washing machine if I tell them I've already done it myself.
Color catchers - you can buy them just about anywhere. I've bought them online at Amazon.com, and also found them at Joann's, Safeway, and Target. There is another brand that calls them something slightly different, which is not coming to my mind, but I've used those ones too and they work just as well.
- I want to give it "pre-crinkled"; I don't want the recipient to think they ruined the quilt when it comes out of the dryer the first time.
- as others have mentioned; to catch any mistakes. I've had binding where I somehow totally missed a side when I was attaching it (I bind by machine) and it came out of the dryer all stringy and weird and had to be hand-sewn to fix it.
- final test for runs in the fabric - I pre-wash unless I'm using precuts but I still like the double check.
- removing cat hair, hand oil, Elmer's glue, chalk lines...
And I also like to be able to tell people it's been "tested" - I think people are a lot more comfortable tossing the quilt into the washing machine if I tell them I've already done it myself.
Color catchers - you can buy them just about anywhere. I've bought them online at Amazon.com, and also found them at Joann's, Safeway, and Target. There is another brand that calls them something slightly different, which is not coming to my mind, but I've used those ones too and they work just as well.
#25
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Belleville, MI
Posts: 142
DO NOT use dish soap in the washing maching. How Do I know??? I helped my daughter clean up a foot of soap sudds from her utility room floor that over flowed when my son-in-law used dish soap because he couldn't find the laundry soap. They even started to oozz into the hall. Not fun. But the floor was really clean when we were done. I'm sure you have seen TV shows or commercials where the soap is flowing out of the washing machine. That is what will happen.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
I lay the quilt out to sew the next few inches, lay the binding on where it should be, give the binding a little tug and hold that on the quilt with my fingers while I sew that section. If the binding is length of fabric, you can tug quite a bit; if it is width of fabric, tug just a little.
I've never heard of anyone else doing that, but better to have the binding just a little tight than too loose.
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
I always wash before giving a gift quilt. First of all to remove all the washable glue and starch and marking pens and chalk used to construct the quilt. I also want the new owner to see the quilt as it really is meant to be. Then, they will not be afraid to wash it when needed. I put it in the washer with regular detergent. I do prefer to lay them out flat to dry. I use a plastic drop cloth either spread on the floor or over a bed. I also try to cut the portion of the batting wrapper out that has care instructions and include it with the gift.
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
I'm a new quilter and have made quilt tops but just finishing one completely to give away.
Should I wash the quilt when done before giving away?
I don't want it to look bad after washing so I hesitate to wash it. Will it change the looks a lot?
Does anyone have pics of one before washing and after?
Also how should I wash it and what detergent?
Thanks so much
Terry
Should I wash the quilt when done before giving away?
I don't want it to look bad after washing so I hesitate to wash it. Will it change the looks a lot?
Does anyone have pics of one before washing and after?
Also how should I wash it and what detergent?
Thanks so much
Terry
I posted my pics in my thread I just started - http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t244008.html
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