QandE2010

I always prewash. I had some blue fabric that i purchased several years ago from my LQS. When i did the wet cotton ball test (which i had always used prior to this) the ball turned a pretty blue. Luckily I hadn't pieced and quilted the blue. Since then I do prewash. I can't imagine ruining my hard work by bleeding fabric. Everyone has an opinion on this subject, this is mine.

QuiltnLady1

I just made a table runnner using pre-washed batiks (I washed them 3 times). Well, when I steamed the seams the dark still bled onto the light right on the seams (if I had used Harriet Hargrave's test to wet, put it between paper towels and put a weight on it I would have known to continue washing). I will be throwing the top in the wash with come color catchers and see if I can get the color out. I don't normally prewash everything because I do test, but I may just bite the bullet and do all of it.

QuiltE

Colour catchers will not take the stains out of your fabric ... they are meant for catching the loose dye floating in the water, to prevent it from setting back into the fabric being washed.

You will need to treat it with Synthropol or Dr. Beckman's Dye Remover

Neesie

I always pre-wash every fabric. If it's a small piece, I put it into a lingerie bag, first. If it's something that may shrink (like flannel), I'll wash and dry it several times, before using. After drying, the fabric is folded but not ironed, until I get ready to use it; otherwise, I have to iron it a second time.

hudgoddess

Two words: color catchers

QuiltingCrazie

I never prewash. Never had an issue and I have used everything from Walmart fabrics to LQS fabrics. I was not taught to prewash didn't hear of it til I joined on here. Your out of your comfort zone not prewashing, plagued with the what ifs...we all can relate lol!! If it will bother you and distract you through the whole process just wash them, if it wont bother you while piecing I would just cut and sew. Goal is to have fun and love what your creating...

Pepita

Well, I've come full circle. Long ago I prewashed. I found that I didn't have a problems with most fabrics. So I stopped prewashing. However, Batiks came into my life and I wash all of them. I add retayne to the wash water as well. For me it is the reds in most of the fabrics that want to bleed. If I am afraid that they will bleed I do the same.

chuckbere15

I bought Robert Kauffman Fairy Frost and I pre-washed the fabric. It was the red, I believe Blood and Rose were the names, and the water turned a slight red.

Pick your poison - pre-wash are deal with running.

Just saying.

damaquilts

I am the same way. I have had things shrink that I didn't expect to and dyes run that I didn't expect to. One thing I have learned even if its expensive fabric it can run....

rj.neihart

I prewash, dry and iron all fabrics before quilting. I learned long ago, when I created a very large quilt without prewashing the fabric, and there were shrunk areas! What a disaster that was. Needless to say, that was one quilt I could not give away. I wash all fabric in cold water, sometimes separating the dark from the light.