How do you prep your fabric?
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 363
When I started quilting I just couldn't wait to get my project underway, however I am now more inclined to prepare fabrics. I will wash and iron yardage but as I don't use precuts very often I probably would not launder them before use. I have very recently been persuaded to use starch in my next project as several quilters indicate it is helpful. I offer no advice other than maybe try it and if it doesn't make any difference then go with what makes you happy.
#62
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Brisbane, Aust
Posts: 1,498
I always prewash my fabrics because I would not want my quilt ruined by the colours running when I washed it. White on whites seem to go very limp after washing so I starch the hell out of them. Just my 2 cents worth
#65
I admit it, I'm a avid pre-washer. I zigzag along the cut edges of the fabric, then wash in the hottest water and dry on highest heat. I'll iron it if I'm using it immediately; otherwise, I just put it away until needed. I always iron before cutting, and I starch while I iron, so I figure why waste time ironing it twice...unless it's particularly wrinkled when coming out of the dryer - then I will iron without starch to avoid creases.
#66
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: western arkansas
Posts: 2,078
I pre-wash all my fabrics. Mainly to get out all the chemicals and other junk that is used in other countries where it is made. Also for shrinkage and bleeding. When you read about washing your clothes before wearing, I will wash all fabric to.
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southern California
Posts: 341
I prewash all my fabric -- if for nothing more than to get all the chemicals out of it. I dry it in the dryer but do not iron i. I then ruler fold it and put it in the right drawer. I iron the fabric just before I use it. Then I will also use starch. I'm not going to waste my time ironing right after washing if I'm going to put it away. It will need to be ironed before it is cut anyway.
#68
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
Posts: 16,105
I pre wash everything because all the material makes me sneeze depending on where I've purchased the material. I do it while I have other things going on. I pre iron also while I have someone on speaker phone. I've usually got something going while doing something else. One day DH walked in and I had the washer and dryer going and was on the phone and ironing. I was also winding bobbins. I try to get a few things going at one time but it doesn't always work that way.
#70
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
With few exceptions, and as much as I dislike ironing clothing, I do prewash all my fabrics, with just an occasional exception, and if I don't get to the fabric when it comes out of the dryer, I will spritz them with water, set up the ironing board with my favorite TV program and it makes the time go faster, and I wind up with freshly ironed and folded fabric ready to put away.
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