Originally Posted by
kellyer21
What is your reasoning for this? I like the crisp look of a quilt when it's first completed andthat's achieved by piecing without washing.
My fabrics still look "new" after being soaked and washed because they are allowed a lot of room in the washer and dryer and therefore minimal rubbing of surfaces together.
one can use sizing or starch to get whatever stiffness you like to work with.
Of the thousands (yes- probably more) of pieces of fabric that i measured before and after washing - maybe ten did not shrink at all.
I like to avoid post- cutting annoyances - such as bleeding - and I like to know what the fabric will be like after it has been washed.
Some fabrics will soften up after being washed - some stay harsh feeling. Some seem to have a nice body before they are washed and become so limp puny feeling after washing that they would make very good hankies.
I figure a good quality piece of fabric should still look decent after one episode of being exposed to water.
I am not a usually a person that goes around looking for ways to make extra work for myself. I feel that avoiding " surprises" like bleeding and shrinkage while steam pressing is worth my time and effort.
There are those that claim to never having had a problem. I have.