Pre-washing fabric
03-01-2011, 03:02 PM
#13
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Location: Mableton, GA
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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.
03-01-2011, 03:04 PM
#14
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,356
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.
03-01-2011, 03:08 PM
#15
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
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!)
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!)
03-01-2011, 03:10 PM
#16
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Location: Enid, OK
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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.
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!
03-01-2011, 03:20 PM
#17
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Location: Northern Michigan
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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.
03-01-2011, 03:41 PM
#18
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
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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.
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!
03-01-2011, 04:18 PM
#19
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 79
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
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
03-02-2011, 05:22 AM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Williams In.
Posts: 192
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.)
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