prewashing fabrics
#31
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 18
Wash before you use. There are chemicals placed on the fabrics to prevent bug problems in storage and shipment. I am allergic to something in prewashed fabric and it can be very hard on your hands. Also you do not know what you are breathing. Treat the fabric like it will be treated later.
#32
I've been washing, starching and ironing all of my fabrics lately. Unless I'm making a rag quilt, then no pre-washing.I have a high efficiency machine with a delicate cycle that really doesn't agitate the fabrics at all and so I don't have the thread mess. I pre wash to see how the fabrics behave when washed (look for bleeding etc) and so they will be pre-shrunk. I don't think it is an absolute must though. Just whatever you prefer. Unless you get some stinky fabric :)
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,669
Originally Posted by maktub
There seems to be controversy about this, does one, or doesn't one prewash fabrics?
And if you do prewash how do you prevent your fabric from pulling threads at the cut ends? At the moment I run my overlocker over the ends before I do wash fabric, but it can be quite a lenghty job
M
And if you do prewash how do you prevent your fabric from pulling threads at the cut ends? At the moment I run my overlocker over the ends before I do wash fabric, but it can be quite a lenghty job
M
#37
Originally Posted by Joselake
Ok, so do you always wash before giving it away?
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: western arkansas
Posts: 2,078
I always prewash and dry before using any and all fabrics. Most of the fabric we purchase today is imported. Do you know what is used on it? How many thing imported have been recalled for reasons that are harmful to us or our pets? I have had reactions in the past and do not want anymore. I deal with the fraying. I wash FQ in a laundry bag.
#39
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
There has always been a controversy as long as I've been a quilter to wash, to not wash. I think it's personal preference, but I prefer to prewash my fabric when I get it, then in a perfect world, it is all ironed and ready to be cut into beautiful quilts. Occasionally I will not run the dryer until the fabric is completely dry and then it's a snap to iron. Don't do this in summer, however. To cut down on the fabric raveling but cut diagonally across all 4 corners of the fabric, as this seems to help. Jut a tip I picked up years ago.
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10-13-2010 04:35 PM