Originally Posted by Peggy
I HAVE BEEN QUILTING FOR 25+ YEARS AND HAVE WON RIBBONS AT JUDGED SHOWS (NOT NATIONAL). THE FIRST THING THAT I DO WHEN I BRING NEW FABRIC HOME IS TO SOAK IT IN 120 DEGREE FAHR. WATER. THIS HAS 2 ADVANTAGES. ONE - IT IMMEDIATELY SHRINKS THE FIBERS SO THAT THERE IS NO FURTHER SHRINKING WHEN YOU LAUNDER YOUR QUILT LATER. SECOND - THE EXCESS DYE IS REMOVED. YOU MAY HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR WATER SEVERAL TIMES TO REMOVE ALL THE DYE. MY SISTER PURCHASED AN AMISH QUILT FOR $500 (RED & WHITE). SINCE SHE HAS PET DOGS, SHE SOON HAD TO LAUNDER IT. SINCE THE EXCESS DYE HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED, THE QUILT WAS RUINED.
I DO NOT PLACE MY FABRIC IN MY FABRIC CLOSET UNTIL I HAVE DONE THE ABOVE. THEN I KNOW THAT IT IS READY TO USE.
AFTER THE FABRIC HAS SOAKED, I DRY IT IN THE DRYER, PRESS IT, AND STORE IT.
THIS WAY, YOUR QUILTS WILL NEVER SHRINK OR DYE RUIN YOUR BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE CREATION. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!
I AM NEW TO THIS WEBSITE. LIVE IN DAPHNE, AL AND WOULD LOVE TO MEET OTHER QUILTERS FROM THIS AREA. NO, I DO NOT BELONG TO A GUILD - MY PREFERENCE.
i do exactly what peggy does these additions: i don't soak, i gently wash. i think the agitation shrinks the fabric even more. i use a detergent that i would use on my laundry, and if it's white, i use bleach. i use synthropol on colors.
after the quilt is finished, i launder it again, on gentle on cool. here the batting will shrink from the agitation. if you soak only, the shrinkage will be less. if you pre-shrink the batting, as i once did, the shrinkage is even less. anyway, on that final washing, i use horse shampoo, whatever brand is on sale, and synthropol again, then fabric softener, then the dryer. fluffy, fluffy, fluffy. if it's a gift i leave out the softener. if it's a hanging, i don't wash when i'ts done.
i don't want my efforts or my money to be wasted.