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Originally Posted by farmquilter
(Post 5044064)
When I began quilting in the late 80's I was taught how to check a fabric to see if it would bleed. Take a piece of white muslin and wet a small area of the fabric in question, rub/scrub the muslin over the wet area. IF you have color on the muslin take the fabric and wash/iron it.
But another method that was taught in the early 90's was to steam press the fabric with a hot iron to set the color. The steam and heat represent washing and drying, and you should notice any shrinkage at that time. I still use this method. |
Originally Posted by farmquilter
(Post 5044064)
When I began quilting in the late 80's I was taught how to check a fabric to see if it would bleed. Take a piece of white muslin and wet a small area of the fabric in question, rub/scrub the muslin over the wet area. IF you have color on the muslin take the fabric and wash/iron it.
But another method that was taught in the early 90's was to steam press the fabric with a hot iron to set the color. The steam and heat represent washing and drying, and you should notice any shrinkage at that time. I still use this method. Sorry for the double post. Sometimes touch screens can be a pain! |
I washed a bunch of pieces I had already cut for a mystery quilt, not because I was worried about them running -- I had washed the fabric prior to starting. I washed them because the smell of the starch I had used was driving me nuts, and I noticed how the same starch had stained white blocks gray.
Anyhow.... it was horrid trying to straighten them and iron them when they came out of the dryer. I had used delicate wash and a linen bag. I pressed and put the whole works away for a while -- UFO stash. My point is I can understand the effort you've gone through. Let's hope it is all worth it! |
The first quilt I made, I washed each fabric priior to cutting it because that is what all the instructions read. That was the first time and the last time. Now, I use spray sizing on each piece prior to cutting. I assemble, quilt and bind the quilt and when it is totally finished, I machine wash it. If there is any fabric that I think might bleed, I toss a color catcher sheet into the washer with the quilt. I have never had a problem.
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I always wash my fabrics before cutting now. I was once making some doll clothes with unwashed fabric. Went to press pieces of red with steam and ended up with dark pink spots all over my ironing board cover. Then I had to wash it because I was afraid the color would get on other clothes/fabrics. Well, when I washed the ironing board cover it shrank and wouldn't fit on the ironing board anymore. So after all of that I don't take chances!
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Like your quote, "if life gives you lemons, make a margarita" you did it! Congrats.
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I'm a wash-ahead-girl. Always have. Years ago I bought really cute fabric for shorts (for me). I washed the fabric and when I tried to cut it out, I found the fabric had shrunk so much I couldn't make the shorts. I took the fabric and my receipt and told them I wanted enough fabric to make the 6 pairs of shorts I was planning to make. They made it right. I never trust fabric, especially today since it's made everywhere.
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Even "good" fabric can bleed. I prewash everything with color catchers. Acidity in the water, differing chemicals in the detergents, etc can make it risky not to. Several years ago I washed some older Hoffman fabric and the red lettering bled just enough to make the words blurry around the edges. Very disappointing! I've also seen the creepy things that live in warehouses, and with the formaldehyde in fabrics-it just makes sense for me. I haven't bought jelly rolls, but I've been Soooo tempted! I did just buy a Moda Summer Breeze Layer Cake- debating if I'll wash it before or after sewing.
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Thanks for all the suggestions - great ideas and hints. I am now on month 3 - and the red little center piece on this block did turn the water red. Where does one buy retayne and syntrapol? My joann's didn't have them (sales help just said nope didn't have it). I am starting a notebook with all suggestions - as the brain doesn't hold as much.
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For those of you who are afraid of running out of fabric on a BOM - if all of Keepsake Quilting BOMs are like the one I bought - you could almost make two quilts out of each kit. I have a lot of fabric left over after cutting all my pieces.
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