I always wash my fabric, but this did surprise me. These pieces were from 2 bundles I recently purchased at a yard sale. I washed all the fabric today and as I'm ironing it, I see inconsistency in the pieces in the bundle. Some washed up and stayed pretty much in shape, but some came out really wonky.

I would expect all the fabrics from the same bundle to wash up the same but apparently that doesn't hold true. These bundles were from David Textiles, the fabric was Monet Darks in Royal. The tag says Premium Quilter's Fabrics, 8 fat quarters, 18"x22" fabric cuts, 100% cotton prints, printed and manufactured in China.

thanks for letting us know

I am a prewasher. I have seen FQs wash and retain their shape and then some are all wonky. I recently reflected on this and I'm wondering if it might depend on how the fabric is cut. If someone cut cafefully along the grain lines, or if they just went through cutting it as it laid out whether on the grain or not.

The darker FQ was cut on the bias.

That's what I think too.

That's not why I wash. That's why I don't buy fat quarters.

If you want a better reason to wash 2nd hand fabric imediately, think - bed bugs. That'll do it fer ya! The dryer is what kills em. You can wash em again if you want to line dry.

Doesn't look like it was cut on the true bias, just cut crooked. It would be fine cut to a smaller size, maybe for a scrappy.

The darker one looks like one or two things might be going on with it:

It might have gotten pulled off grain during processing - and then when cut perpendicular to the selvage or fold - it was "off"

Then, when it was washed it reverted to its "normal" - a bit like some of us do when the control top pantyhose come off.

OR - it may have been printed a bit off grain.

I think you're right on all counts, especially the panty hose. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Joanns fabrics...they were rotary cut without ever being ripped and put ON GRAIN...you can square it up now and just use it for a scrappy project!

Nah, still not gonna prewash.

As much as I love to quilt, I'd give it up before washing my fabric. I'm lucky, I'm not allergic to new fabrics and I love the crinkles non washing gives when washed after being put together. And my life isn't complete without a handful of Color Catchers, so I have no worries.
Judi

thanks

that is really too bad! Removes all the carcinogens that are on the fabric and can eliminate issues that arise "too late" to fix in your quilt!

If a design isn't woven into the fabric, you can never be sure it was printed to the weave. The fabric is stretched to the limit and the printing goes fast. You can't count on it being true to the weaving so if you are going to use something with stripes or even a floral design you have to watch carefully before doing anything. Yes, fat quarters are but with the rotary cutter and no consideration taken to go with a design. That is one reason I don't wash the fabrics first. An expert quilter told me she never washes the fabric before using it in a quilt, takes the newness out of it and I don't wash a quilt unless it is dirty.

Carol J.