Prewashing Panels Before Making Quilt
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 17
Prewashing Panels Before Making Quilt
I have made a couple panel quilts for Quilt of Valor and have prewashed the panel as well as the fabric for the rest of the quilt. I have a pattern that says to not prewash the panel before making the quilt top to make sure the size stays the same. Is prewashing a panel a good idea or bad idea?
#2
Just like prewashing any fabric, it is your choice. If you are using a specific pattern featuring your panel, then I could see where the size might matter in the directions for cutting other pieces. But otherwise, it should not matter at all. I find panels are often very wonky and usually have to dampen them and block them into a proper rectangle.
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 193
It depends on the pattern and how much the panel shrinks after washing. It may not shrink at all. As long as the panel is the size the pattern calls for after washing, then it should all work out well. If it shrinks to be smaller than the pattern calls for, then fabric must be added so the rest of the blocks all align as the quilt is assembled.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,211
I would say, if your fabric is prewashed, you'd better prewash the panel. My experience with prewashing a layer cake is that fabric will shrink a bit lengthwise but not discernibly width wise. But I can't picture why it would matter if the panel is a bit shorter than the current size, as long as you note the new measurements and make adjustments accordingly.