Help: quilt still stiff after 1st wash
 

Hi, lovely quilters! This is my first time posting here, but definitely not my first time at this board. I've been sewing for most of my life, but just completed my first quilt and need the advice of the more experienced. I made a baby quilt to give as a gift at a shower this week and decided to wash it first so that it would be soft before I wrapped it up. I just used the safest thing I had on hand, which was some Woolite. (*wince* That was probably a novice mistake, I'm sure.) I washed on cold/gentle and dried on low. When I pulled out the quilt, it was still quite stiff, possibly more stiff than before I washed it. What should I do? I don't really have the time or funds to go out and get any special products before the shower. Would washing it again and adding Downy fabric softener be safe? Should I just go ahead and use my liquid Tide this time? I'm wondering if the Woolite wasn't enough to get the sizing out, and maybe just angered it instead. The quilt is made with Moda cotton and Warm & White batting. I've attached a picture of the quilt.

It's a beautiful quilt! I would try the tide and the downy. I use both of those products and haven't had any problems. I agree, I think the woolite wasn't strong enough to remove the sizing.

I always use regular laundry soap to wash my quilts that are machine quilted and never had a problem.

I agree. I use my regular laundry detergent and Downy all the time on my quilts. Do wash it on gentle though.

The problem isn't the fabric. You used Warm and White. It's stiff. It'll take several washings to break it down. It doesn't matter what detergent or fabric softeners you use, it'll just take time and use for that batting to break down. If you want a softer quilt to start with you'll have to use a softer batting.

same here.....

welcome to the board and i would also use regular laundry detergent.

What a lovely quilt. Sorry to hear it is so stiff. I usually wash mine twice. Once in plain warm water to remove all markings and the sizing. Then again with laundry soap and fabric softener. Both washes on gentle cycle. I have used Warm & White batting before and I have never had one compile out stiff. Was it the fusible kind?

Thanks! Not fusible, but I did use 505 spray to baste it.

So pretty!!!Sorry for your problem!!!

Welcome to the board... pretty quilt... I always use Warm & White/Natural and normally spray baste - never had the problem. I would try your regular detergent, probably the Woolite wasn't strong enough.

I find that cold water is not enough to get out the spray basting. WhenI try to wipe the overspray that happens , cold water does not remove it , but warm does. Hope you get your quilt softened up!

Thank you for posting your question. And thanks to all for the responses. I needed these answers, too.

Thanks for all of the kind replies. Tide & Downy it is. I'm throwing it back in the wash and will let you know the result. :)

kbeth - I'd bet a warm wash with regular detergent would help - it's probably the spray baste not washing out.

Instead of Downy, you might consider using white vinegar in the rinse. I promise, the quilt won't come out smelling like a salad. The vinegar will help remove any remaining soap residue and also soften. We don't use fabric softeners at home due to my sensitivity to fragrances. I also agree with the recommendation to use a "Free & Clear" detergent if you have the option.

Cheers, K

(It looks like a beautiful quilt. I'm sure they will love it).

i always wash my finished quilts exactly how i think the person receiving it will care for it---a baby quilt gets washed ALOT- and takes abuse---i wash them in warm water- with detergent- with fabric softener= and i dry them in a nice regular setting dryer=
you want a baby quilt to be soft and fluffy- the hot dryer does that-
it's not an heirloom to live in a box under the bed- it's a baby quilt- to wrap a baby in- to put down for a baby to lay on--in other words- to be used- treat it as such---(save the timid----'i'm afraid to look crosseyed at it---don't want to even get it wet---treatment for the heirloom that will live in a box under the bed---until some future generation finds it- hauls it out- and throws it into a washer.

My last quilt was made with Warm & White and I washed it with Woolite (cold gentle wash, dry on low temp) and it came out just fine. However, I don't Spray baste so that's probably the culprit.

What about adding white vinegar to rinse? I do it almost all the time. Gets out extra detergents and stuff in fabric. Good luck!

Good news! I washed it on warm/gentle with the Tide and Downy, dried on low, and now it is nice and cuddly soft. I just now read the suggestions of using vinegar, so I'll keep that in mind for the next one. The next one being a king-sized monstrosity that's almost completely pieced, and makes me nervous when I consider sandwiching and quilting that sucker. Thanks again, all, this board is awesome!

kbeth, thanks for the interesting post! And to everyone for the replies. I learned a lot although haven't had this problem. (yet) :thumbup:

I would have to disagree with this statement. I have used 505 spray on many quilts, quite heavily, I might add and I have not had any issues with stiffness. I also frequently use Warm N White as well.

I'm happy for you and glad everything worked out. I love the binding you did!

I'm so glad your baby quilt came out soft and cuddley. I wash everything in warm water. I don't use the basting spray.
Hi and Welcome from outside St.Louis.

Welcome from Alabama, Heart of Dixie!

Your quilt is beautiful, and I'm happy you solved the problem!

I agree. W & N is nice batting but stiffer than most.

Same here, use mostly W&N never had one turn out "stiff". Im curious now about the 505. Will continue watching this one.

it was the spray basting you used...

I have several quilts with W&N and they are all hard. I now use Hobbs Polydown and have comfy quilts.

Warm and natural batting is stiff. If your quilting is close, that would make it stiff and heavy

Go for the Tide. If that quilt is loved by the baby the way you hope it will be, that quilt will see lots of Tide in it's lifetime. Might as well start now! :)

My quilts made with W & W batting get softer with each wash. I would use the Downy for sure since that will make it more cuddly. It is a beautiful quilt! You did a fabulous job and they will love it! I always make them promise they will let the baby use it and urp on it! Ha! Ha!

Would this explanation of "break down" also be true of Warm and Natural? I was advised by my first mentor in quilting, to use Warm and Natural, and to use Orvis Soap to wash all quilts. I get it in big one gallon tubs at the Farm and Feed stores. It is a paste-type soap,takes very little, (like a teaspoon) and it's main purpose I guess is making horses shine up real pretty after their bath.

I got some "Georgeously Green Bamboo"! 100% bamboo viscose batting......for next time! Winline
www.winlinetextiles.com orders over $50.00 are postage paid! I hope this addy come out right!
The baby quilt she had was marvelous! I will use the bamboo for baby quilts from now on!
I use warm and natural now!

Someone told me to use a mild detergent on all my fabric that I wash before I start any project, now, I'm washing my fabric in Ivory Snow. It makes it soft and easy to manage. Just my own personal choice.......

That is such a beautiful quilt. I'm glad you were able to wash out the stiffness.

Your quilt is beautiful!

I'm glad everything came out just fine. I really love your binding. This is the first time I've seen a patterned binding with a pattened piping. Very cute. I am going to have to remember that for my next quilt. Great job.