Originally Posted by AngelinaMaria
Do you use your washing machine or just fill up the utility sink and do it by hand (the lady at my LQS mentioned she does it in her sink)?
Washing machine.
Cold water
Smaller than usual amount of laundry soap, but some.
Put it in the dryer for a normal cycle's time; not super hot; on my machine it's the "permanent press" setting.
As soon as I get home from the LQS (or as soon as I open the package that came in the mail), I take my fabric DIRECTLY to the washing machine. Because once it's in my quilting room, I want it to be ready to work with.
I do not iron it after wash & dry, but do fold asap. In most cases, that's sufficient.
I wash light colors separate from dark/rich colors. Because of what I learned here, I started using color-catchers. They appear to work.
I much prefer working with pre-washed fabric. Easier to stitch, easier to quilt.
Have fun!
-- Jillaine