Homespun Questions
 

I have some homespun scraps that I am using for the backside of a charity quilt. Not having ever used it before, I am wondering what to expect with shrinkage or bleeding. They were just scraps/strips, so I wasn't able to wash first due to fraying. I have to backside all put together and now wonder if I should be washing it first? Any tips or tricks in dealing with homespun?

Thanks, Rose

I have used homespuns with regular quilters cottons and never had a problem. They make great rag quilts too.

I have 2 different kinds of homespun. One feels like "true" homespun the other seems to be a quilters cotton homespun.

Does your cotton feel soft like cotton or a pit more ridge? If its the ladder I would be worried that washing it would just frey the heck out of it. I'll do a test wash for you, I have to throw in a load and it takes about 30 minutes. Ill let you know.

I guess I am assuming .....I know, never assume.....that it's homespun.....I can tell you that it isn't printed quilting cotton....it's a much looser woven fabric....each thread is one color....it isn't very soft

Wash is almost done, Ill take pics of it washed before I dry so you can see what it looks like.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]300589[/ATTACH]Straight out of washer.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]300590[/ATTACH]After a quick press, then to the dryer.

Once the dryer is done Ill post a pic. The threads got tangled so there was a mess.

Home spun is very loosely woven , If you want to pre wash .. you need to over cast the edges first, to keep the raveling to a minimum. When I make quilt blocks I use a larger seam allowance.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]300617[/ATTACH]After its gone thru the dryer. There is a lot of loose threads that got tangles around and make a big mess. It irons out ok! Hope this helps!

did you notice much shrinkage?

I didn't shrink, but did fray a lot. About 3-4 threads her side.