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  • IF you are a wash/soak your fabrics before cutting person. . .

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    Old 05-16-2013, 12:32 PM
      #11  
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    I prewash and dry everything I buy (hot for both) before storing it, but never measure it before and after. I don't much care about the rate of shrinkage, don't see any point in it. I measure the postwash WOF when figuring cutting requirements for a particular project, but that's the only time it matters to me. I don't buy precuts.
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    Old 05-16-2013, 12:36 PM
      #12  
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    Once in a while I will measure, just to see how much shrinkage really occurred . It is interesting which fabrics shrink .
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    Old 05-16-2013, 12:39 PM
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    I started measuring when some folks said they couldn't see/tell any difference - and I wanted to verify if the soaking/washing was really worth the effort.

    It is to me.
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    Old 05-16-2013, 01:06 PM
      #14  
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    I don't usually measure, but I was curious about the Rac-Lon bleached muslin I was using. I had bought several yards of it, but it was to be cut up into 10" squares for the backing to QAYG blocks. I was planning to pre-shrink in lengths of 40". Well, I cut the units more like 41" or 42". Yes, it did shrink, and I had to scrimp on the 10" squares, making each of them a little smaller. It didn't matter for the project, since the blocks were trimmed to 9.5" after being quilted.
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    Old 05-16-2013, 01:58 PM
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    I don't measure. But this is very good reason to preshrink.
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    Old 05-16-2013, 02:03 PM
      #16  
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    I tend to buy yardage- drop it on the washer when it comes home (I walk right by the washer on my way into the house) like colors are washed together- I do not bother to measure before or after- I expect to have received the amount I asked for- I wash it like any laundry---with detergent- a normal cycle- if I think it may bleed I use a color catcher just to check/be safe- then I toss it into the dryer- when it comes out I iron it & either use it right away or put it away--
    I know that looser weave fabrics (muslin's vs. batiks) will shrink more than tighter weave fabrics- so I generally buy extra knowing that---beyond that I don't worry about it.
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    Old 05-16-2013, 03:18 PM
      #17  
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    I wash all fabric except precursor, and when they're gone, I'm going to make my own. Had too many experiences, but bought a bunch before I found out.
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    Old 05-16-2013, 03:26 PM
      #18  
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    I prewash all mine.. but do not do any measuring!
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    Old 05-16-2013, 03:59 PM
      #19  
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    Wow, I've never prewashed my fabric. I buy most of it at my LQS and always assumed it was good quality. I like a little shrinkage after I wash the quilt to get that older look. I did buy some fabric from Joann's that as I started cutting and piecing with it I thought uh oh. Havent quilted and washed that one yet so I will find out then.
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    Old 05-16-2013, 04:09 PM
      #20  
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    I prewash more and more fabric -- and no I don't measure since all I care about is getting the junk out and shrinking it if needed. I always do it if I mix fabric from LQS, Joanns and WalMart since they I know the quilt will be a mess if I didn't.

    I don't do pre-cuts but I don't think pre-shrinking will be a happy experience.
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