Advice before I roll the dice...
04-19-2012, 09:05 AM
#51
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,042
Over a period of about 40 years I think I have encountered only about 3-4 fabrics that bled enough to definitely cause a problem if I had used them in a quilt. I usually do prewash, but more with the idea that I might get variable degrees of shrinkage since I often mix fabrics from several different sources in my quilts. If the bolt ends on Kaffe Fassett fabrics do not specify "colorfast", why trust them any more than another brand? I believe his name indicates the artistry that goes into the work, and most likely his company would back the high dollar amount with top quality "ingredients". In other words, it's probably a good bet. Skipping the pre-wash step might not be as risky as with some cheaper product, but I might still wash just to avoid having to worry about those intense colors. In other words:
Don't wash = slight worry
Do wash = no worry at all.
Don't wash = slight worry
Do wash = no worry at all.
04-19-2012, 01:56 PM
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Posts: 1,653
Originally Posted by ArtsyOne
My personal rule has been that if the quilt will be used as a quilt, then I prewash because the likelihood is that it will get dirty. If the quilt is intended as a wall hanging, then I don't prewash.
04-19-2012, 01:59 PM
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 674
Originally Posted by leighway
I've been quilting for over 25 years and until about 2 years ago always pre-washed my fabrics. Then I just stopped doing it...maybe too much trouble. And I saw a blog where Alex Anderson said she didn't pre-wash hers.
So, I've gone and invested the equivalent of a second mortgage in many yards of Kaffee Fassett fabric to make up some of his quilts. Here's the question-
Have any of you who have used Kaffee's fabrics ever had them bleed? The colors are so intense and saturated that I wonder but still finding that inside me I actually loathed all that pre-washing, drying and folding.
And you are free to call me a dimwit for even asking, but I really want to know. And, not only about Kaffee's fabrics bleeding but who out there isn't pre-washing? Thanks for the input!
So, I've gone and invested the equivalent of a second mortgage in many yards of Kaffee Fassett fabric to make up some of his quilts. Here's the question-
Have any of you who have used Kaffee's fabrics ever had them bleed? The colors are so intense and saturated that I wonder but still finding that inside me I actually loathed all that pre-washing, drying and folding.
And you are free to call me a dimwit for even asking, but I really want to know. And, not only about Kaffee's fabrics bleeding but who out there isn't pre-washing? Thanks for the input!
Judi
04-19-2012, 02:52 PM
#59
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
A friend that used to own a quilt shop (until she retired to quilt!) told me that there are two times to be sure to pre-wash--when it's a fabric that is likely to shrink very much (like flannel or cheap muslin) or when you take a sheet of clean, white paper and rub it hard on the fabric and it "shows" on the paper. Usually that will be with black or other very dark colors or reds--but even then she said that quality fabrics rarely bleed. So now any time I have a doubt, I get out the paper and rub away--some times I find I need to wash, others I don't. Despite ironing, it seems that the fabric is never as crisp once washed and that makes it hard to cut/sew. And I avoid using starch or stay press, etc if possible as I don't want bugs being attracted--plus then it feels "gluey" when I sew it. that being said--the first time I wash a quilt I always use a Colorfast sheet!
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