I wash my FQ in my washing machine with small amount of my Arm & Hammers no scent detergent and throw in hot dryer after detangling (if necessary) and always giving it a good snap before putting it in a dryer. I keep a small pair of scissors near the washer for snipping threads.
I had not known that if you snip ever 4-6" along the cut edges that it will keep it from fraying. But, I will certainly be trying that next time. AND, yes, I do reds and very dark fabric separately. I also find that high quality QS fabric frays--just like Joann's fabric. I have tried to figure out the rhyme and reason of what causes fraying but so far no reason. One of those things we just have to deal with, I guess. Happy Quilting!
Originally Posted by cpfrog
okay...my 2¢ worth...
If a few small pieces like FQ, I wash my new fabrics with my regular clothes, soap and water, etc. and will use a lingerie bag sometimes. If I have any red FQ, then I wash with other reds or the like (DUH!) If it's a larger piece of fabric (yard or more), I snip the raw edges, a mere 1/8 to 1/4 inch, every 4-8 inches, so that if it was cut unevenly, it wont unravel all over my machine and tie the material into knots. Any excess threads get caught in the dryer filter. I've had the knots happen even with good quilt shop fabric, so it's not just with "cheap material". When ironing I do NOT use starch but use a Fabric Finish so it becomes "firm" again. Have not had any problems or surprises in all my years of quilting, so I guess I'm doing something right.
If you're getting a hole in the fabric, you might have a problem with your washing machine like something under the agitator is catching it??? or it's just cheap fabric (most of Joann's is from China now!!!!). It is 100% cotton, right? I've had holes develop in rayon and rayon-blends.
Good luck.
:roll: