http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_..._and_smel.html This is why so many of us have to wash our fab. Not personal reason...MEDICAL.

I always wash my fabric when i get it home as soon as i can. i have a few allegies. and i dont get stuffed up so much if i wash it first.

I don't wash my fabrics before cutting. But then I'm not allergic to the finishes. The fabric is easier to cut and lay out without washing. I always wash the finished quilt. I love the crinkly look. If I'm doing a wall hanging or the like I don't wash the finished quilt.

Yes - I wash all my fabric before doing anything with it. I do not want any surprises at the end after spending hours of effort.

I iron the fabric just before cutting and use starch if cutting on the bias.

I have to wash it before I play with it - the chemicals in the fabric make my hands break out if I play with it too much.

I wash and iron, then after I cut I starch the pieces.

No, only flannel. I like the wrinkly look.

No, No, No. If you wash the quilt after you finish it, the fabric will have been washed twice. The bloom will be off the rose. froggyintexas

Always wash yardage and fat quarters..... not charms, jelly rolls, or layer cakes.

Ditto!!! :-)

I don't wash fab before using it....exception, of course, with red, dark blue, black (just in case)..then I don't "wash" it, simply cut a small piece and put it in a cup of HOT water and see what happens...if it bleeds, it NEVER will be used by me, I give that away. I don't use starch when piecing(bug food), occasionally sizing.....never washed batting in all these years.....don't wash or even rinse after completing. I just rec'd the fall edition of fons/porter mag and in the antique quilt section there was a quilt featured from the 1800s and museum curator comment on its pristine condition included the phrase....and never washed........Quilts on our beds (3/4) are only washed once a year, aired and fluffed weekly. Some that I have made are still in cedar chest (in pillowcases) not yet ever used.....I take them out once a year, put them on a bed for a week, let them relax and then refold(not the same way) and store again....or give away a few - to make room for the new ones. that is my quilt-life.

OHH Yes, I wash and dry new fabrics before I put them away in my stash. I don't want them to fade AFTER I make the quilt and it bleeds. I had a wine color just the other day from Hancock Fabric that bled all over, big time when I washed it. Rather be safe, than sorry::::

Used to but unless it's for OBW, DITTO to Bonnie's answer

Only if I get it from a thrift shop, yard sale etc. Don't want critters in my house.

No, I don't prewash either. I make samples for a LQS and they are always in a hurry for the finished product.

Our LQS owner makes tons of quilts for the store plus personal, friends, etc. She never washes before. If figure if she can do it, so can I. However, when done I wash it with a color catcher. I, as well, love the wrinkled olde time look.

I always wash before cutting

Ditto. I prefer to work with washed fabric, since most of the tops I make will eventually be washed. I will use starch occasionally, depending on the block pattern and type of pieces.

Thank You! Who knew? I was concerned about fabric being manufactured overseas. Maybe I should be more concerned about the products from this country.

yep, as soon as I take it home, first thing I do wash and iron

I wash and iron and starch it before cutting. I am so afraid of colors running and ruining the final project.

I usually wash it. Then just plain iron, no starch.

Have you ever gone shopping when the new clothes come into the stores, and your eyes hurt and you get a headache? The reason, most people think, is the dye. Not so...it's the formaldehyde. And if the clothes/material is coming from China, it is even worse.

I don't have a huge stash (yet,lol) but over the years have learned to wash my fabrics, especially all the muslin, because I buy it to use in cooking and baking. And if you are sensitive, NEVER wear "the new" off of clothes. Wash them first.

I have worked at both the lower end of the retail stores and the upper end of high $$$$ clothing stores, and when the new lines come in, the chemical smells would make your eyes cross.

I do mostly because I am extremely sensitive to the chemicals that they come out of the warehouse with. By the time I am walking out of the quilt shop I am already getting hives and itchy. I stratch through every step of the process because for me it is easier to cut and piece.

I wash and dry everything, even fat quarters. I don't want any shrinkage after everything is done and quilted so I do it up front.

I had never pre washed before, but, after I heard a few on this board comment about bleeders... red, black mainly. I began to pre wash. I am making a quilt for my sister and it is red, black and white. I prewashed and then iron using starch , getting bottle of starch and diluting as per instructions.Fabric is not wrinkled.

I always wash, dry and iron but never use starch on my fabrics. I hate the stiffness of starch.

no i do not never had a problem

I do not wash fabric before cutting unless I suspect it might bleed such as a very dark color. I only use quilt store fabric brands that I trust and have had no problems. I just don't want to put any extra wear and tear by washing the fabrics first. That is just me of course and I do appreciate reading all the opinions on this subject.

If my stash had to wait to be washed and ironed before I use it, it wouldn't see the light of day very often. Once the sizing is washed out you have to put it back in. Only if fabric is questionable for some reason but sticking to good cottons makes a big difference.

almost the same reason I started washing all mine, plus once bitten twice shy, had some fabric run on me after the quilt was done.

I wash yardage but not precuts and that includes FQ's. If I'm using FQ's or smaller I just live with it until it's quilted and then wash. Usually don't have issues. I do not prewash/preshrink my batting. I like the crinkly look.

Nope. Never wash before. But I do wash after so it's nice and crinkly.

No...takes away from actual quilting time..and who wants to be in the laundry room anyway? I like the look they get after the quilt is finished, then washed, they get that "cuddle in me" look to them...they just look soft and inviting.

I always wash my fabric before cutting and sewing it. You might try using spray starch if you want a crisp fabric to cut and sew. Just my personal preference.

I only wash flannel....the rest i never wash.....hasn't hurt a thing so far. lol

holy smoke, you must really want to do everything the hard way...... :P

I don't wash before or after. I like the feel of fabric before it is washed. I use Retyna when I wash my quilts. sorry I can't spell.

Quilterfay

I don't normally pre-wash except I now wash and treat all batiks because some of those bleed.

holy smoke, you must really want to do everything the hard way...... :P