charm packs and patty cakes.. do you wash them before using?
09-05-2013, 03:32 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 2,616
I throw my smaller pieces into lingerie bags. I pre-wash everything no matter the size. You can make your own lingerie bag. I've used old pillow cases and even old panty hose. You can get plus size panty hose at the dollar stores and/or knee highs. I just don't use anything until it's been pre-washed. I also wash in hot water to make sure it has shrunk as much as it's going to. I have old trimmings like bric brac that I wash in panty hose. Toss that into the dryer on low about 10 minutes or roll into a large bath towel and set aside for an hour or 2.
Not to change the subject, but I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday and we are heading out to a new place (at least it's new to me) in Minneapolis. I mentioned to her that I can tell the difference between a person that sews and one that doesn't. The one that doesn't calls it material. The one that does calls it fabric. To which she said "Oh, Edie, you just said the "F" word. So now, I guess not only can I sew with it, I can cuss with it. Have a great day, Gals! Edie
09-05-2013, 05:10 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 629
I don't prewash the precuts but I read yesterday that it helps a lot if you run a sticky roller over the edges before you open the package -- you know the kind that you use on a your clothes to remove the pet hair and fabric threads. I had never thought of this and our sewing machines might love us for doing this also -- a lot less lint, etc. to deal with.
09-05-2013, 07:21 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
If I did not work with unwashed yardage cut into various sized quilt patches because I was concerned with the outcome after washing such as shrinkage, fading, bleeding, etc., why wouldn't I be concerned with the same issues with precuts? I am always amazed that people who always wash and dry yardage as they will in the finished quilt are prone not to wash and dry precuts in a mesh bag, panty hose or in the sink. I can tell you that if you have never experienced a problem in the finished product that you are indeed fortunate. My biggest complaint about precuts and the reason I have stopped purchasing them is that they are so often off-grain and grain does matter even in small cut pieces.
09-05-2013, 03:00 PM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Homosassa, FL
Posts: 2,267
Different companies/stores have different names for some of the same cuts. A 10" precut is a 10"n precut no matter the different names, along with the 5" charms sometimes have different names. I do not pre wash, but to each his own, just like I prewash yardage and have been for 50+ years.
09-09-2013, 03:00 PM
#28
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 25,207
If I did not work with unwashed yardage cut into various sized quilt patches because I was concerned with the outcome after washing such as shrinkage, fading, bleeding, etc., why wouldn't I be concerned with the same issues with precuts? I am always amazed that people who always wash and dry yardage as they will in the finished quilt are prone not to wash and dry precuts in a mesh bag, panty hose or in the sink. I can tell you that if you have never experienced a problem in the finished product that you are indeed fortunate. My biggest complaint about precuts and the reason I have stopped purchasing them is that they are so often off-grain and grain does matter even in small cut pieces.
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03-21-2014 05:03 PM
