Originally Posted by [email protected] (Post 6911948)

I am a smoker but only outside & I wash my hands before I go into my sewing room, the few quilts I've made the people can not smell any smoke on my quilts. My problem is buying fabric at Estate sales that have that musty smell to them. It's the only time I prewash (other than obvious bleeder fabrics) and then usually with vinegar, baking soda & detergent the musty smell comes out great. I was recently given 2 big tubs of fabric with the smell so I went out & bought 2 mesh bags to wash the scraps in. Hopefully I won't have to throw out too many tangled messes.

Originally Posted by Jackie Spencer (Post 6908943)

I guess some might call me crazy too, but here goes...... I have been quilting since 1975, and I have never pre-washed my fabric! I sometimes wash my quilts after they have been quilted, to get that crinkled look, but not always, and I have never ever had any problems of any kind.

Originally Posted by bearisgray (Post 6913280)

Hmmm - how do you tell which fabric will be "an obvious bleeder fabric"? I have had at least one of EVERY intense color bleed. And some that I thought would spill color were as stable as could be.