I've collected fq's and am gettnig ready to put them to use. I do not usually wash fabric before sewing, but am wondering if I should with homespuns? Their weave is kind of loose, like flannel would be, which is making me think I probably should.

I don't usually wash fabrics before use as I like the wrinkly, crinkly look after washing when quilted. But will these shrink up TOO much?

I wouldn't prewash them. I have used the homespun to make a rag quilt. With that you have to wash after. It will shrink up some put I think it would be awful hard to with if prewashed.

I would prewash the fabrics, not the batting and you will still get the old fashioned wrinkled look, I like it too.

You could always cut out a 6 inch square wet it and throw it in the dryer to see how much it is going to shrink :wink:

I don't usually prewash, but do when using homespun.

I am completing a quilt with a few homespun fabrics this week. Since I was mixing homespuns with recycle shirt fabric, I decide to prewash. It ravels like crazy!

So I would suggest if you prewash, finish the raw edges by serging-- if you don't have a serger, then an overcast stitch or zigzag will work. If the homespun is wrinkled when you take it out of the dryer, then press (up and down) with the iron to minimize stretching and distortion. Use lots of starch, too.

The last quilt I did with homespuns, I regretted not washing. It was lots of greens, the color got all over my hands as I was cutting and sewing. So when I finished I had to wash with lots of color catchers to keep it from ruining the tans. It crinkles when you wash it even after prewashing because of the loose weave.

If you are using strong colors I would zigzag the cut edges and prewash, just to save the headache later.