Quiltingboard Forums

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)
-   Main (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/)
-   -   MASSIVE shrinkage - beware (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/massive-shrinkage-beware-t213149.html)

alisonquilts 02-06-2013 02:31 PM

MASSIVE shrinkage - beware
 
Washed 108" backing fabric in hot water, dried on hot - and it shrank down to 97" wide. Yup, that is 10% shrinkage. By the time I removed the (rather wide) selvages it was down to 94" useable width. Aaaargh! (It is part of the Henry Glass "Baroque" line, just so you know.)

Alison-Now-Going-To-Plan-"B"-For-The-Backing

Cyn 02-06-2013 02:33 PM

Oh no! That's not good but thanks for the warning.

Jackie Spencer 02-06-2013 02:59 PM

Why did you wash it in hot water?

frustratedquilter40 02-06-2013 03:12 PM

Aaaargh! I feel your pain wow I never wash my fabric before using unless I feel there is going to be an issue with bleeding. And I am curious why is shrank that much maybe washing and drying on hot??? I hope you can figure out a good solution for the backing now. I think I would contact Henry Glass and let them know what happened and if they have had others have the same issue with that particular fabric.

GEMRM 02-06-2013 03:17 PM

"Alison-Now-Going-To-Plan-"B"-For-The-Backing"


I love your sense of humour, given the situation! Sorry it happened to you.

patchsamkim 02-06-2013 03:46 PM

That is a HUGE amount of shrinkage...usually it is 2-4%...I wonder if the manufacturer knows how much it shrinks?

ckcowl 02-06-2013 03:54 PM

i have to ask too....why did you wash it in hot water? did you have a (bleeder)? were you going for maximum shrinkage?
i purchase and pre-wash wide backings all the time- some shrink a bit more than others- but i don't wash anything in hot water unless i want it to shrink as much as i can possibly make it...
was it a loose weave?
i bet if you check their website and check the (care instructions) for that fabric line it probably tells you to wash in cold water or maybe warm water- i've never bought a quilting fabric that when checking the care instructions says to wash in hot water....

auntpiggylpn 02-06-2013 04:00 PM

I see on fabric.com they recommend this fabric be washed in COLD water. Now I don't know about anyone else but my quilts get washed just like the rest of my laundry. I don't think I would use a fabric that could only be washed in cold in any of my quilts. That is just a ridiculous idea for a fabric manufacturer of QUILTING fabric to make fabrics that could only be washed in cold water. Sounds like they already know there is an issue with shrinkage. Sorry this happened to you.

mighty 02-06-2013 04:02 PM

Oh no!!! So sorry!! I always prewash my fabirc but have never use hot water. Again I am so sorry this happened to you!!!

117becca 02-06-2013 04:12 PM

curious to the reason behind washing in hot water and drying in a hot dryer. I don't wash anything in hot water except maybe periodically my whites. But even then, I still dry on med heat.

My quilts I wash cold water/gentle cycle and dry on perma press cycle.

QuiltE 02-06-2013 04:17 PM

aaaaaaaaaaah the old question resurfaces .... why wash in hot and dry on hot?


For me ....... the answer is ..... I abuse it as much as I can up front.
I know the shrinkage is dealt with.
I use the Colour Collectors to know the bleed status ... and re-wash or treat with retayne until that is under control.

Yes, abuse ... however, a far better feeling, knowing that I have done so, and minimize disaster AFTER I make a quilt.

I sure as H**** do NOT want to put all the work into a quilt, and then have it ruined when it is accidentally washed in hot water ......... or one fabric shrinks more/less than the other ......... or someone forgets to toss in a Colour Collector ............

That, Ladies and Gents, is why QuiltE pre-washes in HOT water ... and probably why many others do too!

alisonquilts 02-06-2013 04:38 PM


Originally Posted by Jackie Spencer (Post 5843214)
Why did you wash it in hot water?


Originally Posted by frusratedquilter40 (Post 5843236)
And I am curious why is shrank that much maybe washing and drying on hot??? I hope you can figure out a good solution for the backing now. I think I would contact Henry Glass and let them know what happened and if they have had others have the same issue with that particular fabric.


Originally Posted by ckcowl (Post 5843324)
i have to ask too....why did you wash it in hot water? did you have a (bleeder)? were you going for maximum shrinkage?
i purchase and pre-wash wide backings all the time- some shrink a bit more than others- but i don't wash anything in hot water unless i want it to shrink as much as i can possibly make it...
i bet if you check their website and check the (care instructions) for that fabric line it probably tells you to wash in cold water or maybe warm water- i've never bought a quilting fabric that when checking the care instructions says to wash in hot water....


Originally Posted by mighty (Post 5843347)
Oh no!!! So sorry!! I always prewash my fabirc but have never use hot water. Again I am so sorry this happened to you!!!


Originally Posted by 117becca (Post 5843369)
curious to the reason behind washing in hot water and drying in a hot dryer. I don't wash anything in hot water except maybe periodically my whites. But even then, I still dry on med heat.

My quilts I wash cold water/gentle cycle and dry on perma press cycle.

Thank you all for your sympathy! I always have a "Plan B" for the backing - this time it will be a pieced back!

On the hot/hot issue: I prewash all my fabrics this way to rule out any potential color loss or shrinkage problems - especially when the final product is for a paying customer. And yes, I go for maximum shrinkage intentionally. In this case the fabric is dark red, and has what feels like a pretty normal density for a backing fabric - not as tight as you'd expect for "top" material, but closer weave than basic muslin. Since I cannot control what the recipients do with the quilts I make (even though I always give care instructions stressing cold wash and line dry) I try to make them as bullet-proof as possible before I hand them over! Usually shrinkage is in the 1-3% range, with perhaps a little distortion to the lie of the fabric.

I have NEVER had shrinkage like this, even with flannel, and since I "pretreat" all of my fabrics the same way I feel this is (fortunately) an outlier.

I won't contact Henry Glass because I am not expecting to be compensated: I am sure that their care instructions do indeed say "cold wash, low temp dry by blowing gently across the fabric with slightly puckered lips on a warm summer day", and that my kamikaze approach contravenes all of their instructions. Also, almost all of the sites I come across do say that "up to 10% shrinkage" is possible - I've just never had it happen before! I was posting more to show that that "up to 10% shrinkage" is a real possibility...something all the non-prewashers may want to know (she says, stirring up the wash/not-wash controversy yet again.)

Alison-Recovered-From-Her-Dismay-And-Embracing-The-Idea-Of-A-Pieced-Back

Edit - I see that Quilt E has just made many of the same points I have - sorry for the repeats!

petthefabric 02-06-2013 04:56 PM

Alisonquilts and QuiltE
I agree. After I've put in $ and hours making a quilt, I don't want any surprises. So I prewash, usually on warm wash & normal dry, everything before it's put into my studio. I even like to get fabrics like dark blue that might bleed (into my faded jeans). or red into my faded red cloths.

TanyaL 02-06-2013 04:58 PM

Considering all the information on the news this fall and winter concerning the epidemic of bedbugs, I think that having all of your bedding washed and dried in hot temperatures is just plain good health sense. Thank you for the heads up on this fabric. Do you remember when the news stated that bedbugs could be spread by the usage of the vacuum cleaners by maids? They warned everyone to have their housecleaning services to not bring the vacuums into the house, use only the ones provided by the houseowners. And forget about traveling and bringing them home attached to your suitcases.

petthefabric 02-06-2013 05:00 PM

I also meant to say, maybe the manufacturer didn't realize the amount of shrinkage and needs a heads up. I've always thought Henry Glass was a reputable manufacturer, but after this comment my opinion has dropped several notches. I'd think Henry Glass would like to maintain their reputation and would like the opportunity to look into this issue.

alisonquilts 02-06-2013 05:12 PM


Originally Posted by petthefabric (Post 5843496)
I also meant to say, maybe the manufacturer didn't realize the amount of shrinkage and needs a heads up. I've always thought Henry Glass was a reputable manufacturer, but after this comment my opinion has dropped several notches. I'd think Henry Glass would like to maintain their reputation and would like the opportunity to look into this issue.

That is a very good point - I think I will contact them for that reason. They truly may not be aware of this issue, or it may only apply to a specific run of fabric. I have never had any issues with other Henry Glass fabrics.

Alison

mucky 02-06-2013 05:12 PM

You would not wash your quilt in hot water so why the backing? Do you wash all your fabric in hot water?

Drue 02-06-2013 05:18 PM

Why would you ever wash anything in HOT? I NEVER wash anything in HOT! Not even socks and underware!

ghostrider 02-06-2013 05:37 PM

Come on. Isn't it enough that we constantly 'debate' whether or not to prewash fabric, now we're jumping on each other for washing in hot water?? And yes, I wash fabric, quilts, socks, and underwear in hot water...but not together, except for the socks and underwear. Guess I missed the memo that said it was forbidden. :o

MTS 02-06-2013 07:40 PM


Originally Posted by auntpiggylpn (Post 5843343)
I see on fabric.com they recommend this fabric be washed in COLD water. Now I don't know about anyone else but my quilts get washed just like the rest of my laundry..

I don't prewash fabrics but the quilts get washed the same as the sheets and towels - everything is washed in hot water.
And even on the very, very rare occasion that I did prewash something, it just gets tossed in with the current load - I wouldn't think twice about using hot water.

@alisonqults - Normally I wouldn't care about the shrinkage (makes me laugh) but I can totally understand the frustration since you bought it specifically for that size and purpose.

earthwalker 02-06-2013 08:04 PM

Seriously, If I am making a quilt that is to "live" somewhere other than my house I put the fabric under fairly brutal treatment prior to piecing/quilting. You would be very surprised at the washing/drying habits of some households. If fabric is going to "misbehave", best it does it before going into a quilt.

virtualbernie 02-06-2013 09:03 PM


Originally Posted by auntpiggylpn (Post 5843343)
I see on fabric.com they recommend this fabric be washed in COLD water. Now I don't know about anyone else but my quilts get washed just like the rest of my laundry. I don't think I would use a fabric that could only be washed in cold in any of my quilts. That is just a ridiculous idea for a fabric manufacturer of QUILTING fabric to make fabrics that could only be washed in cold water. Sounds like they already know there is an issue with shrinkage. Sorry this happened to you.

I agree! And what about those charity quilts that go to hospitals and we KNOW they will be washed in HOT water...

lots2do 02-07-2013 03:51 AM

Alisonquilts -I appreciate your sense of humor in the facing this disappointment....

Aurora 02-07-2013 04:09 AM

I never wash anything in hot water and I never dry anything on hot. Mostly I line dry. For me it is a matter of conservation and economics.

impyjsmom 02-07-2013 04:50 AM

I always pre-wash all my fabric in hot water and dry on high heat. I put too much time and money into my quilts and I don't want any surprises the first time it's washed after finished. Some fabrics shrink more than others and I'm afraid if I don't do that, it will be lopsided down the road...just my 2 cents....forwhatitsworth :)

nycquilter 02-07-2013 04:54 AM

I rarely, if ever, preshrink my fabrics. I find that after being quilted, the shrinkage is minimal and even. It seems, to me at least, that the quilting helps hold the fabric true. Now, this may be my delusion, but it works for me and I've been quilting 20+ years now.

ArtsyOne 02-07-2013 04:59 AM

I'm with the pre-washing in hot/warm water crowd since I make mostly baby quilts and we all know that babies leak and my quilts will get plenty of time in a washer and dryer. Also because of the babies I prewash to remove any chemicals that were added during the manufacturing process.

feline fanatic 02-07-2013 05:05 AM

Allison, thank you so much for your heads up. I don't care what the website says, this amount of shrinkage is unacceptable. So I appreciated knowing this to avoid a situation like you are having. I suspect you paid a premium price for this fabric as well.

Like you and Quilt-E, I always prewash in HOT water. And if you are going to treat with Retayne because that beautiful fabric is a bleeder or you are forced to use Synthropol because you DIDN'T test/prewash/treat, etc you HAVE to use hot water for the product to work.

My reasons for prewashing in Hot are the same as those of us who do prewash in hot, maximum abuse up front. No difference if the quilt is my own or to be gifted, donated or sold, I want the fabric to have already experienced the worst that is going to be thrown at it, laundry wise. Some commissioned I have even subjected to *HORRORS* the laundromat! Yes, under normal circumstances I do wash in cold but I also have pets. My cats have more then once hacked up a hairball on my bedding. A cat with a urinary tract infection, lets you know by going in an inappropriate place. If I have any kind of accident like that, you can rest assured I WILL wash my heirloom quilt in HOT water. Not doing so just skeeves me right out.

QuiltE 02-07-2013 05:18 AM

:D Let's hear it for .... the Sisterhood of the Fabric Abusers!!! :D

quiltntoday 02-07-2013 05:34 AM

Hey Alison--It happened to me too! In September I bought 108" Moda fabric, washed/dried it, squared it up and sent it to the Longarm quilter with my quilt. She called me saying it wasn't large enough. I couldn't believe it! I thought I gave her more than enough. I sent her an additional 1/2 yard. I wonder if fabric manufacturers are making lesser quality fabric for 108" fabric? I've never had that problem before. If you can't depend on 108" fabric, we'll have to piece our backs!

Wintersewer 02-07-2013 05:54 AM

Here, Here!!!


Originally Posted by QuiltE (Post 5844320)
:D Let's hear it for .... the Sisterhood of the Fabric Abusers!!! :D


slbram17 02-07-2013 05:56 AM

Good thing you prewashed!

maryb119 02-07-2013 06:06 AM


Originally Posted by QuiltE (Post 5843379)
aaaaaaaaaaah the old question resurfaces .... why wash in hot and dry on hot?


For me ....... the answer is ..... I abuse it as much as I can up front.
I know the shrinkage is dealt with.
I use the Colour Collectors to know the bleed status ... and re-wash or treat with retayne until that is under control.

Yes, abuse ... however, a far better feeling, knowing that I have done so, and minimize disaster AFTER I make a quilt.

I sure as H**** do NOT want to put all the work into a quilt, and then have it ruined when it is accidentally washed in hot water ......... or one fabric shrinks more/less than the other ......... or someone forgets to toss in a Colour Collector ............

That, Ladies and Gents, is why QuiltE pre-washes in HOT water ... and probably why many others do too!

I totally agree with you! I prewash everything just to make sure if the color is going to run or the fabric shrink that it happens before I put all the time and work into a quilt. That is a lot of shrinkage but you protected your quilt from being ruined the first time it's washed.

mhollifiel 02-07-2013 06:31 AM

For those of us older gals who live with only a DH or alone, waiting for a "full load" means we don't sort our laundry (Gasp!) and the luckier ones have a DH who does the laundry as well. SO, my quilts have to be ready for just about anything, in or out of the laundry! Fabric had better be able to take the worst abuse up front around here.

I also dress myself out of the dryer to cut down on folding. Yep, this means I wear the same two or three outfits out here in the swamp over and over again! Sue me! Love having a washer and dryer in the bathroom!

ziegamomma 02-07-2013 06:32 AM

I pre-wash and pre-abuse all fabrics.
Line drying is not possible when you live on the Gulf coast and have high humidity. I tried to be more eco-friendly and not using the dryer for towels and sheets. The towels would smell sour and still weren't dry. The sheets were rough and damp feeling. I gave up. A quilt would never get dry.

Weezy Rider 02-07-2013 06:38 AM


Originally Posted by mhollifiel (Post 5844503)
For those of us older gals who live with only a DH or alone, waiting for a "full load" means we don't sort our laundry (Gasp!) and the luckier ones have a DH who does the laundry as well. SO, my quilts have to be ready for just about anything, in or out of the laundry! Fabric had better be able to take the worst abuse up front around here.

I also dress myself out of the dryer to cut down on folding. Yep, this means I wear the same two or three outfits out here in the swamp over and over again! Sue me! Love having a washer and dryer in the bathroom!

Glad someone else does that. They sorted in the old days to do the cleanest dirt (like sheets and pillowcases first) and the dirtiest (work clothes) last. It was a pain with a wringer washer. They didn't have auto fill.
Now it's mostly fabrics - delicate , heavy.

Since I make a lot of the stuff and won't buy specialty type fabrics - everything in the house can go in any load.
We use cold water mostly and sorted by whose laundry. The kids would do all theirs in one load. The only no-no is new blue jeans.

Lori S 02-07-2013 07:15 AM

I appreciate the heads up on this issue. I like you would have assumed that top name goods would not have had this much of a shrinkage issue. Being forwarned is being forearmed.

hopflower 02-07-2013 07:17 AM

Why wash anything in hot water other than whites? Normally cool to warm is what is warranted. And most quilting fabric new wold not need such stringent treatment. Just curious; but I know that many people do use this method.

dcamarote 02-07-2013 07:27 AM

I don't wash batting before hand but if I did I would wash it in cold water and dry at a low temp. that might help. So sorry you had this problem. It is very frustrating.

gabeway 02-07-2013 07:36 AM

That seems like a lot of shrinkage! Thanks for info.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:54 AM.