Please help me decide Wash or Not
04-17-2010, 08:40 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 851
I always wash. However, the Downy quilt I did recently came already cut, and so I couldn't wash it. They request washing when the quilt is completed though. Mine had very bright colors, and so I wondered. It came out fine. Some of the dark batiks will bleed for sure, and so you absolutely must wash those. Regular fabric will probably be okay. Still, I'd wash reds, blacks, and dark blues and purples. Better safe than sorry. Oh yes, and there are always color catchers.
04-17-2010, 08:42 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 674
Originally Posted by bailey
I have done a search and read the opinions which seem to be mostly prewash fabric first. I do not wash my fabric first ( read lazy, lazy girl) but also have not had to wash any of my quilts yet either. Could anyone post a picture of their quilt after washing when none of the fabrics were prewashed before piecing the quilt? I am starting a new quilt today and need to decide if I will wash first or not. The quilt I will be starting has applique and embroidery both along with the piecing.
Thanks to anyone that can help me make up my mind ( or a lot of days - find my mind). Please help me decide....
Thanks to anyone that can help me make up my mind ( or a lot of days - find my mind). Please help me decide....
Judi in Ohio
04-17-2010, 01:06 PM
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 1,052
Generally, I do not prewash my fabric; however, I do put a Shout Color Catcher sheet in the tub the first time I wash the quilt. It catches any loose dyes.
If I think a black or extremely dark fabric might "fade" I prewash it with a Shout Color Catcher. When you take it out of the washer you can see how much dye was loose and collected on the sheet.
If I think a black or extremely dark fabric might "fade" I prewash it with a Shout Color Catcher. When you take it out of the washer you can see how much dye was loose and collected on the sheet.
04-17-2010, 01:33 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Posts: 957
I use to pre-wash, and don't tend to do that now. I like the crinkly look, and so far have never had any problems.
That said, if I was doing a project that involved using red fabric, or batiks, etc I would pre-wash.
All my projects, when they are finished, are washed before sending to the recipient. The only problems I've ever had here was the "permanent" micron pen fading.
That said, if I was doing a project that involved using red fabric, or batiks, etc I would pre-wash.
All my projects, when they are finished, are washed before sending to the recipient. The only problems I've ever had here was the "permanent" micron pen fading.
04-17-2010, 01:35 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 674
[quote=Judi in Ohio]
I forgot to say. My avatar is an embroidered quilt. I started machine embroidery before I started quilting. I needed something else to do with my embroidery, so learned how to quilt. I actually took classes just so I'd know how to square up my embroidery blocks. I quilt way more than I embroider these days. The next two quilts are also embroidered - the 9 patch - lol - are the cutest wild animals, and the other is a teddy bear cross stitch alphabet that was free designs.
Judi
Originally Posted by bailey
I have done a search and read the opinions which seem to be mostly prewash fabric first. I do not wash my fabric first ( read lazy, lazy girl) but also have not had to wash any of my quilts yet either. Could anyone post a picture of their quilt after washing when none of the fabrics were prewashed before piecing the quilt? I am starting a new quilt today and need to decide if I will wash first or not. The quilt I will be starting has applique and embroidery both along with the piecing.
Thanks to anyone that can help me make up my mind ( or a lot of days - find my mind). Please help me decide....
Thanks to anyone that can help me make up my mind ( or a lot of days - find my mind). Please help me decide....
Judi
Sunbonnets by HIA
[ATTACH=CONFIG]63588[/ATTACH]
cuddlesome critters by HIA
[ATTACH=CONFIG]63589[/ATTACH]
free cross stitch alphabet designs
[ATTACH=CONFIG]63593[/ATTACH]
04-17-2010, 03:39 PM
#36
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 106
I figure for the time I put into a quilt, the last thing I want is for it to bleed colors or shrink. I'll spend a little extra time to prewash my fabrics. Besides what if it is a quilt you give away and something happens to it when they wash it. Someone could end up with very hurt feelings.
04-17-2010, 04:35 PM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North Canton, Ohio
Posts: 1,403
I hear it's a reference. Honestly, I rarely prewash my fabric. I have, but I don't make a habit of it. So far I've been lucky. I've not had any problems with running or uneven shrinkage. I wash my quilts in the regular wash with regular detergent and Oxyclean after I'm finished with them. Knock on wood, 'cause now I've probably jeonxed myself.
Originally Posted by mannem
Even Alex Anderson has had a quilt ruined by not washing the fabrics before sewing with them. I wouldn't take the chance. Ironing the washed fabric is not my idea of fun, but it is well worth it.
04-17-2010, 06:15 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: montana
Posts: 620
I rarely wash fabrics first--if I know where they came from.
vintage,thrift store finds,etc are washed. always use color-catchers. I just started a new post today on a method to
prevent raveling and twisting messes when washing yardage.
BUT--with embroidery or applique' I would certainly wash fist to avoid any chance of shrinkage. all my quilts are washed after they are completed.
vintage,thrift store finds,etc are washed. always use color-catchers. I just started a new post today on a method to
prevent raveling and twisting messes when washing yardage.
BUT--with embroidery or applique' I would certainly wash fist to avoid any chance of shrinkage. all my quilts are washed after they are completed.
04-17-2010, 07:21 PM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North Canton, Ohio
Posts: 1,403
OOPS! I meant to say "preference".
Originally Posted by quilterguy27
I hear it's a reference. Honestly, I rarely prewash my fabric. I have, but I don't make a habit of it. So far I've been lucky. I've not had any problems with running or uneven shrinkage. I wash my quilts in the regular wash with regular detergent and Oxyclean after I'm finished with them. Knock on wood, 'cause now I've probably jeonxed myself.
Originally Posted by mannem
Even Alex Anderson has had a quilt ruined by not washing the fabrics before sewing with them. I wouldn't take the chance. Ironing the washed fabric is not my idea of fun, but it is well worth it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
