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-   -   How do you wash your fat quarters? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/how-do-you-wash-your-fat-quarters-t215996.html)

mjhaess 03-12-2013 07:09 AM

I serge the edges and wash in cold water ad dry med. heat..I iron mine and store them flat. I do not fold them.

irishrose 03-12-2013 07:18 AM

I've done both - just throw them in the washer and use a lingerie bag. They don't fray much on gentle.

I often wash mine with my regular laundry rather than a large amount of FQs alone. They seem to fray less if there are no other stringy things in the load.

bobquilt3 03-12-2013 07:40 AM

I don't. I just take my chances. I buy from reliable sources and so far it has worked out. PS For what it's worth, I've been quilting for 30 or more years.

JBeamer 03-12-2013 09:03 AM

"How do you wash your fat quarters"
Well first I get in the shower and wash my upper left fat quarter... LOL

Mariposa 03-12-2013 09:09 AM

Usually, I just toss them in with my bigger fabric pieces. SOmetimes use a lingerie bag. No sewing edges here-too time consuming!

marsharini 03-12-2013 09:23 AM

Is the purpose of washing them to see if the colors bleed? I thought it might be preshrinking, but for those who line dry, that wouldn't be the case. I'm new to all this, so I'm wondering about prewashing my fabric and/or FQs. What made me think I might need to is I just purchased FQs to make pot holders and I know since I'll be washing them somewhat frequently and wondering if I should be concerned about shrinkage.

irishrose 03-12-2013 09:30 AM

Two reasons to wash - first you don't know where it's been and what it has been treated with. Dead mice have been found in fabric bolts, plus the fabrics are treated with chemicals and I want to remove those. Second - shrinkage. I forgot to wash fabrics for one quilt and when I pressed the blocks a Robert Kaufman fabric shrunk so badly it distorted the block. I guess to remove excess dye, too, but I haven't found too much color transfer to my Color Catchers even with the load of dark batiks I did last week.

Karo 03-12-2013 09:46 AM

I put them in a small mesh laundry bag; then wash as usual

marsharini 03-12-2013 11:03 AM

Thanks for the quick answer Irishrose. Time to wash my fabrics (eww on the mice and chemicals).

patdesign 03-12-2013 11:20 AM

I soak mine in a little handwashing detergent in the bathroom sink, rinse about 3 times and lay flat on towels to dry. I try not to do too many at one time. Some people use a salad spinner to get water out of their precuts, but I have not tried that.
Hugs Pat


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