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Pre-washing fabric

Pre-washing fabric

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Old 03-01-2011, 01:31 PM
  #11  
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I do not prewash fabric.
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Old 03-01-2011, 02:55 PM
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The only thing I prewash is flannel.I find the sizeing gives the fabric more body which I like when cutting.If iam worried about bleeding I use a color catcher the first wash.
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Old 03-01-2011, 03:02 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by prairiequeen
The only thing I prewash is flannel.I find the sizeing gives the fabric more body which I like when cutting.If iam worried about bleeding I use a color catcher the first wash.
Same here. The lady at the quilt store said no prewashing necessary on modern fabrics. Although if one has a sensitivity or allergy, that is another story.
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Old 03-01-2011, 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by prairiequeen
The only thing I prewash is flannel.I find the sizeing gives the fabric more body which I like when cutting.If iam worried about bleeding I use a color catcher the first wash.
What is a color catcher? :?:
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Old 03-01-2011, 03:08 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by Tilladare
For those who DO wish to prewash their pre-cuts, may I make a suggestion? Instead of wringing or squeezing the water out, use a salad spinner!
I have one dedicated to food, and another dedicated to wool, and am considering adding a third for fabric!
(Which reminds me, I need to get busy cleaning the last of the fleece in the spare bathtub!)
DITTO....this works for ALL small pieces of fabric, even FQ's
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Old 03-01-2011, 03:10 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Stitchnripper
Originally Posted by prairiequeen
The only thing I prewash is flannel.I find the sizeing gives the fabric more body which I like when cutting.If iam worried about bleeding I use a color catcher the first wash.
Same here. The lady at the quilt store said no prewashing necessary on modern fabrics. Although if one has a sensitivity or allergy, that is another story.
what make MODERN fabric any different from VINTAGE fabric?
It is all the same and in todays market MODERN fabrics can contain up to 73 chemicals with more than 50% of being carcinogens! So I would rather wash the NEWER fabrics than the old...BUT all fabric should be washed so to remove left over dyes, oils, dirt, and for proper shrinkage!
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Old 03-01-2011, 03:20 PM
  #17  
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i do not wash pre-cuts...but i do color test if i have any colors to worry about and if there is a (mis-behavin' piece) i either do not use it or i do pre-wash and try to set the color. i only pre-wash if the fabric feels or smells funky...or is wool, or batik/hand-dyed, or the color bleeds.
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Old 03-01-2011, 03:41 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
Originally Posted by Stitchnripper
Originally Posted by prairiequeen
The only thing I prewash is flannel.I find the sizeing gives the fabric more body which I like when cutting.If iam worried about bleeding I use a color catcher the first wash.
Same here. The lady at the quilt store said no prewashing necessary on modern fabrics. Although if one has a sensitivity or allergy, that is another story.
what make MODERN fabric any different from VINTAGE fabric?
It is all the same and in todays market MODERN fabrics can contain up to 73 chemicals with more than 50% of being
carcinogens! So I would rather wash the NEWER fabrics than the old...BUT all fabric should be washed so to remove left over dyes, oils, dirt, and for proper shrinkage!
I stand corrected. Thank you for this information.
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Old 03-01-2011, 04:18 PM
  #19  
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The only fabrics I prewash are flannels and very dark colored anything else. Flannels only for the shrink factor. Someone told me when I began quilting 10 or so years ago, that today's fabrics are usually stable...and to trust them.
I found this to be true. I like the crispness of unwashed cottons...they cut better, are less fray-edged or distorted, and I hate when they turn out limp from prewashing. Several pros do not advise prewashing....the battle has been going on for a long time.
I also find that washing my quilts in cold water, delicate, and damp drying them in the dryer, then gently reshaping if necessary works just fine. I do small things...lap quilts, wall hangings, and the like and have never had a problem with not prewashing.

D
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Old 03-02-2011, 05:22 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Prism99
I never prewash fabrics. I do test for colorfastness if I suspect a fabric might be a bleeder. Saves me a lot of time, and fabric and batting (I use primarily cotton batting) crinkle up together in the wash. (I look the soft antique look.)
Agree 100%
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