always wash my fabrics

always wash my fabrics

I always do and there was quite a discussion on this board early about formaldehyde in the fabric and other chemicals and I want to make sure it does not bleed or shrink before I go to all of the work of making the quilt but is up to each individual

I started out prewashing, then I heard some say they didn't prewash, so I stopped. Since I read the article on all the chemicals in the fabric, I now prewash my fabric. It is a little more work, however, I ironed my fabric even when I didn't prewash. I just don't want more chemicals in my system.

It really comes down to personal preference as to how you feel about the chemicals in the fabric.

I don't.

When I started my quilting lessons I was told by all of our instructors to pre-wash the fabric. We would catch some heat with one of our instructors if it wasn't washed before class.

I never do unless it's flannel Just use color catchers afer quilt is done

I don't most of the times..there are exceptions..from what I've seen on the board it's about 50/50 !! LOL..that may not answer your question..but I have on certain designers (Jinny Beyer) for 1..or a red..I might wash..as a whole I don't !!

Too much trouble to wash and iron it all, so no. Having said that, I have never run into any problems from not prewashing but I know others have. If I ever do, I'll probably learn my lesson the hard way! :)

No, only if I am doing an exchange on the board.

I have to wash my fabrics purchased specifically for my petnappers for animal shelter. I want to make sure all chemicals are out. After I finish making the petnapper, I rewash again to make sure no animal fur on any of them from my own little spoiled furbabies here at home.

Nope, never have. Was going to with my last one, but didn't have time before the class. Hope all goes well since they are batiks

I am guessing those who don't prewash their fabrics also don't wash their NEW store bought clothes before they wear them! Not enough words to express the ICK factor there!

I just loved the oranicclothing blog link...that was a great read...
and folks should remember, where that fabric is now being made and what all it comes in contact with prior to us buying at the store...

these days it is not just about shrinkage or dyes bleeding, it is about the over all amount of chemicals and germs on that fabric.
Chemicals that are released every time you touch, cut, and iron that fabric!

I agree! I was clothes before I wear them for the same reason. You never know who tried them on before you. My kids call me a clean freek or a germaphobe!

If it is red, it is prewash!

I prewash, mostly because of the chemicals used to preserve the fabric and to catch any bleeding colors (I use a color catcher in the wash) and to preshrink the fabric (some fabric shrinks, some doesn't but I want to be covered either way).

I do not prewash jelly rolls though, or anything precut in small or narrow pieces. It's just too much, trying to untangle them if they fray a bit and then I have to iron every little piece so I just cut and sew and don't worry about it. So far haven't had any problems.

I am prewashing more because every time I walk into a store that sells fabric I start coughing and I can't breathe. This happens sometimes in my small sewing room. I need to remember to take an allergy pill before shopping and sewing. I like working with non washed fabric.

I pre-wash everything! All fabrics hit the washer before being allowed in my sewing room. I can't handle the chemicals and smells on the fabrics, so I get rid of them.
Also helps to find "bleeders" early.

Some do and some don't. I personally pre-wash everything.

I don't ,I'm too lazy

Always prewash, except you buy the finished cuts (e.g. jelly rolls, layer cakes, charm packs).
That's my personal preference. I also starch when ironing with Best Press or Niagara (spelling???).

I prewash to make sure my fabric doesn't fade or shrink. I know it's most likely unnecessary but I feel better if I do wash it.

I prewash to make sure my fabric doesn't fade or shrink. I know it's most likely unnecessary but I feel better if I do wash it.

I do wash all but my 30's & Civil War prints. I like the antique, crinkly look after they are quilted then washed. I have had a few quilts with dk blue, red, dk green and black that yes they did fade onto white fabric in the quilts. SO I learned to wash before using. And it was high priced Quilt fabric! I had some dk green that was washed twice and it still bled or rubbed off onto the leaders of our LA.

I wash my fabric just to get rid of the chemicals.

i was taught at my quilting classes to always prewash fabric. so i do, on gentle, wash all my fabric.

I always prewash: to see if the fabric will bleed
to get the smells and chemicals out.

Never

I only prewash for swaps that ask for it to be prewashed.

Not. Only flannel as it shrinks so bad.

No I dont. If I had to prewash that would take all the joy out of quilting.I want to get quilting right away. I have never had a problem. If I had to worry about germs every time I would be a basket case. My philosophy is that a little germ is good for the immune system.I love to be clean but sometime we can go overboard.

Depends on the look and feel of the fabric if I pre-wash

i think pre washing is a waste of time, unless you would have a color or two that would bleed, such as like anything red, and even black, rinse in cold water with a hand full of table salt, and rinse til the water is clear, if you dry it in the dryer, it will shrink..
good luck,
katz