Just wondering if you *always* pre-wash your quilt backings?

Is there ever a reason NOT to?

I do -its a pain to get it all ironed after its been washed - but I always wash my fabric before using it - just the way I do it

I wash because the majority of the experts on the board say I need to. There is no way I'm going against what these people say!

I don't wash most of my fabric before using so I don't wash my backs.

I always do.this last one I am doing,I bought 108 inch fabric and three yards I knew I was takingit to a long armer and they like a little extra,and after washing it even though I took it out of the dryer immedaitley and folded it nicely it still got lots of wrinkles,and I hate to iron something that big.My solution you might ask? I took it to a dry cleaners and the pressed it for me,20 bucks but it was well worth it,I didn't have to do it!

If you wash the majority (or in my case ALL) of your fabric before you piece it, then you will also want to wash your backing fabric. If you are a quilter who doesn't wash her fabrics before making a quilt top, then it isn't as important to wash it. The main reason is shrinkage. You don't want your top and back to shrink differently because that could pull your stitches loose or cause other problems. I wash everything because I want any shrinkage to already have taken place, plus I want any excess dyes and chemicals removed from the fabric before I start working with it. Just my personal preference. :wink:

I either prewash all or none lol

I do prewash but I don't have a dryer. If I ever stuck some long ago project in a dryer... :0(

Nope. I'm not a washer of either pieces, fronts, or backs. Unless it's specified in a swap.

I don't usually prewash anything. It's all personal preference.
We refer to it as quilters choice. :D :D :D

I always prewash my fabrics to take care of shrinkage and to set the colors.

I don't pre-wash anything, except for the blocks I did for on here.
I do starch and iron my backing though.
:D

Nope - never wash anything before I sew.

I never pre-wash anything. Only three of my quilts have had to washed, but I saw no ill effects.

I always pre-wash everything. However, recently in a quilt shop, they said you shouldn't prewash. I guess though it really depends on you.

I was taught long ago to always prewash - it takes out shrinkage and sets the colors. I buy fabric (when I can find it) at the thrift stores so I just have a rule that anything gets washed before it gets used. I usually hang dry it so there is very little pressing needed. :lol:

I cant think of a reason not to however I dont. I asked at my favorite quilting store and they said I didnt need to (Thequiltingbee.com) if your using quality fabric. Neve once had a problem with a quilt by not prewashing.

Yes! One of the managers at a Joann's one time told me she had been to the warehouse where they keep the fabric and that they were very dirty places. I think that might go for most warehouses. So I was all my fabric no matter where it came from. Unless it is a stack and wack and then I have inadvertantly washed that fabric too, but it still came out ok.

So to me washing the fabric is very important.

:D Yes, I wash all my fabric as soon as I get it home from the store...My daughter received a baby quilt from a friend of mine and she made the baby quilt all in batiks and when I washed it, the batiks bled into each other...I just don't take the chance...

I don't prewash my fabrics, but i do always wash my quilts before giving them away.

I always prewash, but now I am faced with a problem. I am doing a baby quilt with minke on the back. I am afraid to wash the minke because of all of the fraying etc. Anyone with aany advice?