Irishrose2

I am making 15 or so pillowcases for some of my great grandchildren. For some reason, I feel they will turn out nicer if I don't wash the fabric first. This from a confirmed prewasher, LOL. I guess my concern is whether all three fabrics will shrink the same amount. Any thoughts?

ckcowl

I always go ahead and prewash for pillowcases, even though I’m not an always prewashers. Pillow cases get pressed plenty while making and I always iron them nicely when finished so they look crisp and beautiful.

JACRN

Our Guild makes them for our Children's Hospital They told us to wash them in All or Dawn. I used Dawn and they came out fine..

bearisgray

I would was h the fabrics - especially for something like pillowcases - because fabrics do not shrink evenly.

The finished pillowcases will wash up and fold better if most of the shrinkage has been removed before making them.

If you are using only one fabric for each pillowcase, do whatever. But if you are making pillowcases with the contrasting cuff and trim, I strongly recommend washing/shrinking the fabrics before assembling them because if the possibility of uneven shrinkage.

Maire

I always wash fabrics for pillowcases because they are usually for children, the excess dyes, sizing & other processing chemicals need to be washed out before exposing a child to them.

Irishrose2

Okay, into the washer with color catchers it is. I do feel better about it - I was just being lazy - not wanting to press so many yards of fabric.

Jordan

I would suggest you wash your fabrics first for the pillow cases as they will be washed a lot from their recipients. I am a pre-washer on all of my fabrics and feel better that the shrinkage will be less when it is a finished product.

nativetexan

and I would suggest stitching that trim or flange down if using one. ask me how i know. I have some to go back and stitch down waiting...

QuiltE

...and thus, why many of us prewash (and apparently that includes yourself!)

Don't fear how your pillowcases will look ... so long as you press press press at every step along the way.
That includes before you start cutting and stitching.

junegerbracht

I totally agree - it's a great place to use those many decorative stitched on our machines.