Folding fabric for washing
 

I have seen some where a method for folding fabric before washing in a way to stop all that big tangle of frayed ends.
Can anyone help with this method?

Open out your yardage; accordion pleat it along the selvage approx every 18"; safety pin along the one edge; throw in washer; when finished pull out & shake it down into the folds again; and throw it into the dryer; then shake it when dried; remove pins. It has always worked well for me, although I know some people say it doesn't work for them. I use quilt shop fabrics so not sure how this would work on a very loosely woven fabric.

My method is like this without pins to wash. I DO NOT use the dryer instead I match the selvages by hand, smooth and hang fabric over trouser hangers using several hangers with app. 18 in loops and hang over the line. In my laundry room I use my display shelves that go around the room. You could even place a rod where you could use it. With several yards you will have several draping loops of fabric.
I rarely need to even press after this metod.

Part of the reason for prewashing is to preshrink. Using the dryer does some of the preshrinking, so I always use both washer and dryer, and with some fabrics (muslin and loosely wovens), I w/d several times. I serge the raw edges together and cut them off with a rotary cutter afterwards.

I think one of the more important steps is to make sure that the fold line (when the fabric was on the bolt) has been opened/unfolded.

I zig zag the cut edge. That way I use up old bobbins that I now longer need the color. Works fine for me

If you use the gentle cycle, there is no "twisting and pulling" and almost no raveling. No need to do anything else.

All these methods were very interesting to read.

I'm so glad I don't prewash.

I no longer use the washing machine to prewash. I soak the fabric in hot water in the sink and then put it into the dryer to pre shrink.

Thank you everyone for your varied methods will try them. I'm fed up of the tangled mess. I have been not washing for the last 4 months due to an operation and I have been frustrated at no wash. Again thanks

I only prewash questionable fabric, reds, batiks, and unknowns....I use my wavy rotary blade and get next to no ravels, I also do use the delicate cycle.....and only hot water if I really question the fabric.....always dryer....if the fabric is either muslin or flannel I have been know to do this twice, but never if for a rag quilt that will be made with
all flannel....

I have a friend who made a beautiful appliqué vase full of flowers, a work of love as she is partially sighted. After finishing she decided to was as sh like the shrink look on her quilts etc. one green ran slightly. She is thinking of washing first. This is very difficult when you go to a class in a quilt shop and purchase from there to use immediately.