Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • to wash first or not >
  • to wash first or not

  • to wash first or not

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 11-29-2016, 08:16 AM
      #11  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Central Iowa
    Posts: 2,338
    Default

    this is a personal option everyone has their own way of doing things and what works for you is what you should do
    newbee3 is offline  
    Old 11-29-2016, 08:24 AM
      #12  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2013
    Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
    Posts: 16,105
    Default

    I prewash all fabric, unless I missed a bag like the other day and it found its way in the back of a closet. If it doesn't completely dry in the dryer, then I lay it across my bed after giving it a good shake. It helps the fabric relax and with a spritz of a little white vinegar and water, little ironing is needed. Works for me.
    tessagin is offline  
    Old 11-29-2016, 09:15 AM
      #13  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2010
    Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
    Posts: 6,026
    Default

    I join the chorus of people who recommend washing first. You don't want any surprises later. Muslin comes in so many qualities as you can see from the comments on how much shrinkage others have experienced.
    quilterpurpledog is offline  
    Old 11-29-2016, 11:37 AM
      #14  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2016
    Posts: 67
    Default

    If ironing this large piece is causing you to hesitate washing first, may I suggest washing it, drying it, then take it to your local drycleaner for pressing (they'll even fold it neatly and hang it on a hanger - like they do curtains).
    AStitchInTime is offline  
    Old 11-29-2016, 01:26 PM
      #15  
    Super Member
     
    Deb watkins's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Apr 2009
    Location: Horseheads, NY 14845
    Posts: 4,025
    Default

    I always wash muslin. Varying in quality does make a difference in shrinkage.
    Deb watkins is offline  
    Old 11-29-2016, 03:39 PM
      #16  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Dec 2008
    Location: Western Wisconsin
    Posts: 12,930
    Default

    Guess I am the odd one out here. I probably wouldn't pre-shrink it. This is because my quilting lines tend to be pretty close together (usually not more than 2" or 3" in any direction). This type of quilting binds both top and backing fabrics to the batting, at which point the batting limits how much the fabrics can shrink. Fabric that shrinks a lot when washed alone will shrink very little when washed after having been quilted with lines 2" apart.

    If I were planning on quilting lines being 5" apart, I might prewash the muslin. This is because over a 5" span, it would be possible for a highly-shrinking fabric to shrink a little more than the batting. However, before washing that large piece of yardage, I would probably do a test wash first on part of it. I would cut a 10" square from the muslin, wash and dry it, then measure the ironed piece. If it shrank an inch, I would probably prewash the whole piece.

    A lot depends on how far apart your quilting lines will be. I enjoy quilting on my midarm frame so, instead of prewashing the musline, I would just plan on doing my usual close quilting.
    Prism99 is offline  
    Old 11-29-2016, 04:14 PM
      #17  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Pawcatucck, CT
    Posts: 80
    Default

    TAke it to the cleaners and have it washed and ironed, can't be that expensive just tell them NO STARCH......
    kidhauler1948 is offline  
    Old 11-30-2016, 08:15 AM
      #18  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Dec 2012
    Location: N. Nevada
    Posts: 953
    Default

    Yes wash first. I've seen muslin shrink like the devil and have even had what was supposed to be good quality large backing fabric shrink 4 inches!
    salederer is offline  
    Old 11-30-2016, 06:05 PM
      #19  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2012
    Location: Florida
    Posts: 1,585
    Default

    I agree 100% with macybaby! There;s just too much chance for major shrinkage! Discretion is the better part of valor! Wash it and dry it in the dryer. If you don't wash and have major shrinkage, it could be disastrous. We don't want that to happen to you!
    Jeanette Frantz is offline  
    Old 12-01-2016, 10:29 AM
      #20  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: Ridgefield WA
    Posts: 7,765
    Default

    I always buy a "premium" muslin and don't ever pre-wash it. Shrinkage has never been an issue. I use it for background on the top and for the backing, too.
    Kitsie is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Julie in NM
    Main
    73
    08-08-2011 02:59 PM
    katiebear1
    Main
    49
    04-07-2011 09:18 PM
    Jerrie
    Main
    43
    07-16-2010 08:34 AM
    AbbyQuilts
    Main
    5
    08-15-2009 10:57 AM
    nursie76
    Main
    24
    08-04-2009 08:34 AM

    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