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    Old 05-12-2011, 07:46 AM
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    I just bought a bundle of vintage cottons from the thrift store, and I'd like to wash them, just in case there are any creepy crawlies in there. But, I typically do NOT wash my fabrics before piecing.

    Will this cause problems for me later (having things shrink at different rates, washed vs. unwashed)? Or should I go ahead and wash whatever I use in that particular quilt?

    I also buy yarn sometimes, and the typical treatment there is to freeze and thaw it (vs. wash), should I do that instead?

    Thanks for sharing your wisdom. :)
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    Old 05-12-2011, 07:50 AM
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    ...... another reason why all fabric goes straight to the washer when I bring it into my home!
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    Old 05-12-2011, 07:58 AM
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    You might want to use the gentle cycle for these. I wash my fabric this way for the 'just in case'.
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    Old 05-12-2011, 08:14 AM
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    if it came from a thrift store i would wash it- regardless...
    since i pre-wash fabrics that may bleed, may shrink more than i want- or are recycled...and i use them with plenty of new fabrics that have not been pre-washed- i have never had an adverse effect from mixing washed-not washed- unless one of the not-washed did run.
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    Old 05-12-2011, 08:18 AM
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    put them in an old pillow case (or two) then wash on gentle cycle
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    Old 05-12-2011, 08:28 AM
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    Everything from a thrift store goes in the washer before it even gets in the house (the back door enters the laundry room.) I have been mixing washed and unwashed fabrics. Furniture gets left on the patio and scrubbed and sprayed. One of my dogs has an allergy to fleas. I don't to bring anything that would aggravate her skin. It's so good right now.
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    Old 05-12-2011, 10:11 AM
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    Oh I would definitely wash it. Since they are used shirts I am sure they have been washed multiple times. If you are concerned about mixing washed and unwashed fabrics you might want to prewash those fabrics too before addign them.
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    Old 05-12-2011, 10:17 AM
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    You have the right idea - wash them for sure and also pre wash everything that goes in to that quilt. That's a lot of work to mix washed with unwashed. Don't risk it.
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    Old 05-12-2011, 10:17 AM
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    Originally Posted by Annaquilts
    Oh I would definitely wash it. Since they are used shirts I am sure they have been washed multiple times. If you are concerned about mixing washed and unwashed fabrics you might want to prewash those fabrics too before addign them.
    Oh! They aren't shirts, just old quilting cottons. I don't think they were washed, or if they were, someone did a nice job ironing/refolding. Someone neater than me. ;)

    I think I'll wash them and just take my chances with mixing them. It'd be fairly impossible to keep my washed stuff separate anyway since I always have tons of scraps.

    Thanks for the advice, all!
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    Old 05-12-2011, 10:19 AM
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    Originally Posted by M.I.Late
    You have the right idea - wash them for sure and also pre wash everything that goes in to that quilt. That's a lot of work to mix washed with unwashed. Don't risk it.
    That IS a good point. It is a lot of work. Sigh.
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