Prewashing large cuts of fabric?
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 471
I accordian pleat my long fabric pieces in about one yard folds and then I safty pin all layers together in about 8 places. It takes large pins. It goes though the washer and dryer like this. Sometimes it is necessary to move the pins around about half way through the drying process so that you will not have any wet spots.
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 471
iF THERE ARE ANY HOLES I STEAM THE OUT WHEN I PRESS
I accordian pleat my long fabric pieces in about one yard folds and then I safty pin all layers together in about 8 places. It takes large pins. It goes though the washer and dryer like this. Sometimes it is necessary to move the pins around about half way through the drying process so that you will not have any wet spots.
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Homosassa, FL
Posts: 2,267
I have stared surgeing my ends after reading about it here and it works great. I am sure zig zagint the ends would work too. And make sure when it goes into dryer you make sure it is not already tangled up from the washer.
Have washed my fabrics for 50 years and the surging best idea ever.
Have washed my fabrics for 50 years and the surging best idea ever.
#35
I wash all my fabric by hand in very hot water. I let it soak until the water is cool. This takes care of shrinkage and bleeding. I fold it accordion style into the water. When the water has cooled I hand squeeze it then hang to dry.
I'm lucky to live where we get lots of sun. Queensland is called the Sunshine state.
I always wash my quilts when I'm finished so that takes care of cleaning the fabric.
I'm lucky to live where we get lots of sun. Queensland is called the Sunshine state.
I always wash my quilts when I'm finished so that takes care of cleaning the fabric.
#36
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
Prewashing fabric
I know I read a thread about this before but have not been able to find it. I am about to start a couple large sized quilts and the fabric is all over 3 yards of each piece. How do you wash these to stop the twisting and knotting? I have washed up to 3 yards but I always end up with strings that bind around the center of fabric. Any tips would be appreciated!
#37
I also use the "snip the corners" method and it has always worked for me. I pre-wash everything, and after this last backing, I am even more inclined to do so. I lost a ful 10" on a 108" backing...not very happy, but at least it shrank before I attached it to the quilt.
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Delmarva Peninsula
Posts: 1,151
I would serge/zigzag the edges. I fold mine and put it in a large mesh washing bag. I use 3 color catches with darker fabrics. I do not tumble dry large pieces - for me that is when they turn into monsters. Someone told me to go to a laundrymat and put each large piece in a separate dryer - the tubs are bigger and there is less knotting. Never tried it that way. I wash in warm water, and wash and dry my quilt after binding - never had any issues - but I like puckering.
#40
I was watching a Kaye Woods episode and she had a tip on washing big yardage (up to 15 yards) without it getting roped up in the wash.
You are suppose to open it up so the fabric is its full width then accordian fold it down the yardage so when you're done it's all kind of stacked up on itself about 12" wide I guess. Then using lots of safety pins, pin in the selvedge areas on both sides then wash it.
I don't understand how the snip the corners are suppose to work. I've never done it - but then I've also never done this Kaye Woods suggestion. I'm planning to try it out this week. I've got some yardage to wash
You are suppose to open it up so the fabric is its full width then accordian fold it down the yardage so when you're done it's all kind of stacked up on itself about 12" wide I guess. Then using lots of safety pins, pin in the selvedge areas on both sides then wash it.
I don't understand how the snip the corners are suppose to work. I've never done it - but then I've also never done this Kaye Woods suggestion. I'm planning to try it out this week. I've got some yardage to wash
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05-16-2011 01:06 PM