prewash
 

I am in the group that will wash any washable component of an item before cutting it.

But how in the world does one "prewash" something?

I might consider purchasing the fabric a "prewashing" step.

Sorry - the literal mind is in gear this morning.

The first time I read about "half square triangles" also had me puzzled. Half a square is a rectangle!

Half a square is not necessarily a rectangle. If you cut the square diagonally from one corner to the opposite you have triangles. All depends on the angle of the cut and from what. Also half a rectangle can be a triangle (obtuse maybe)? I will stand to be corrected as far as the word obtuse.

we use 'prewash' to mean wash before the quilt is made as opposed to 'postwash'... washing after the quilt is made.

half square triangles are 90 degree triangles and are most easily accomplished by starting with a square... so the name tells you how to make them. there are also half rectangle triangles... again, a description of how they are made.

The literal mind, in today's world or jargon and nonsense, can have some bumps and pauses, but you know what is right and what is nonsnese!

How funny, I never thought about it!

In that case, I simply adore the "prewashing" step!!! :thumbup:

Bear, you are in rare humor today, must be a clear day for doing whatever you wish!

Jan in VA

Sorting clothes/fabrics by color and/or fiber is part of my 'pre-wash'

Soaking fabrics in hot water is part of my pre-wash routine.

For clothing - treating spots on an item (if I remember) before putting it in the washer is part of pre-washing.

Some of our expressions just seem - illogical - to me.

I loved Mr. Spock on the original Star Trek series!

Yes, the english language has my brain taking a left turn quite often. I enjoyed your post!

That's right. Prewashing is a literal misnomer. Washing means using soap and water, right? If I only use water to dink fabric in, it is soaking without soap. Once I add soap, i am washing, not prewashing. But that said, i do get the "pre" as in washing before sewing fabric. I like how you think. Half square triangles made sense after i pondered it years ago.