quiltluvr

It's all in the fabric. I've been disappointed numerous times by buying quilt shop quality at top prices and decided not to pink the edges and have wound up with balls of threads hanging off, losing inches to "square" it and some of it nothing more than a wrinkled mess, just the same as when I bought anything outside a QS, online or in person. I expected the mess and not all frayed either. To me it's a toss up. I wash on hot and dry on perma-press until just damp, iron, fold and stow.

jljack

I would definately wash first since you are doing applique and embroidery. Imagine what it would look like with shrinkage after putting those on!! I shudder!!!

pieces

Wash the fabrics to remove the excess dyes.
Better safe than sorry.

littlehud

I don't wash mine first unless they are colors that are known to run. I have never had a problem.

watterstide

there is no way i would wash small pieces of fabrics..
i don't prewash fabrics.
(except batiks,flannels)

but i do use a color catcher sheet when i wash the quilt when finished. no quilt leaves this house with outwashing it first.
i have had a red varigated thread bleed..it must of been old thread..i have no idea what brand it was either..it was loaned to me for doing a baby quilt..4 years ago..when i didn't wash the quilt after i made it. so that is why i wash before i give..

Sandyb

I always wash my mat'l before I cut and I wash the quilt after I have finished because I like to wash my markings off and any dirt or oils that may have been on my hands (even though I try to wash everytime before I start quilting). Just moving the hoop everytime will transfer oil that occurs naturally on your skin to the quilt.
Sandy

pocoellie

I personally don't prewash. I used to but I like the old fashioned wrinkly look. I do soak the batiks though.

Karen's Kreations

The only fabric I've ever pre-washed was flannel - to try and reduce the lint.
I've had no problems (knock on wood) - I always wash the completed quilt before I gift it.

puck116

I don't prewash. Also I'm lazy. I do wash all quilts I give away with Synthropol (to set colors) and Color Grabbers (added precaution) together. I haven't had any problems yet. I even mix washed and not washed as I quilt from scraps, my own and other peoples.

bailey

Puck116 - Thank you for the pictures. Beautiful quilts - everyone of them.
Well, I did prewash for the quilt I am starting. Small little pieces - just enough for this quilt. I don't think the fabric shrinks - it just unravels in the washer and dryer! LOL I measured the pieces before I washed them to see how much they would shrink - only one pieced changed and it grew!!!! Guess I measured that one wrong. LOL Starched the heck out of them after so they are sorta like new again. Don't know why I suddenly was undecided about prewashing or not since I never have prewashed and never thought about it before. Not sure I will do it again though. This quilt will be thrown into the washer as soon as it is finished - if I see a difference I will prewash again if not - back to my old habit of not prewashing. I really do like working with new unwashed fabrics.

Thanks to everyone for their opinions.