Minky
 

I will try to keep this short. :D
I have converted part of my garage into my sewing space. But in the dead of winter it gets really cold, so I then take over the kitchen table. Anywho, a cat got into the garage for awhile and decided the kinky I had on my cutting table would make a nice warm bed. Now it is covered in cat hair. Can/should I wash it before I use it as a quilt back or would that mess it up. I haven't worked think minky a lot before. Thank you for all your help and suggestions.

I don't see why not wash it first - it will get washed sooner or later anyway.

I would wash it. Should not pose any problem in terms of quilting.

I would wash it, but I would run a stitch around the edges first. May not be needed, but when you cut minky you sure get a mess of fuzz so ... couldn't hurt!

I have washed minky before using because I once had minky run and ruin a quilt so now if it's a strong color I prewash. i have had no problem and I don't think u have to worry about the edges. it's a knit so there won't be any fraying

There is a new store opening in my town next month that is going to sell minky only. 6000 bolts coming. She is having a specialist teacher coming in to show scads of things that can be done with minky other than quilt bavkings. We are going to make a QAUG quilt during the grand opening with the teacher. They had a big booth atnthe Portland market and itbwas a big hit.

This site has good info about using minky (cuddle).

http://www.shannonfabrics.com/cuddle...ks-ezp-30.html

Go over it with a lint brush and wash it....should be fine and pre-washing is a good thing:)

Either that or the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. I always prewash minkee. I bought a minkee clone once and it pilled so bad I threw it away!
Also, check your lint filter halfway through drying to make sure it's not full.

Is there an online source for shannonfabrics in the usa?

Portland Market? Do you mean Portland OR? Is the minky store going to be near there? (I'm ready to go if it is!)

I would wash it for sure. You don't want to try and do it with all of that cat hair and that would get into your machine. Plus, you'd wash it afterwards anyways so why can't you do it before. It makes nice backing.

They had a booth at the quilt market in Portland OR. The store will be in Southern Utah. Check their website to see if they sell online. The store has been around for a long time but is converting to minky only.

Wash it - it's not going to shrink like traditional 100% cotton quilting fabric.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

You could also use one of those lint removers that is a roller of sticky tape. I have two cats and I should buy stock in the company that makes them. Takes cat hair off anything, though you may need to use several sheets.

don't have a cat but I have read that if you run a window squeeze over the fabric it will get a lot of hair off it

I would definitely wash it. You don't know whose cat it is unless you've since adopted it, and where it's been. I'm just not fond of any animal getting on my furniture or other stuff. I don't allow my dogs on my furniture and since they still have not found out how to do a running leap, I'm certainly not going to encourage it. I've always got a lint roller and shake as much hair off as possible before I throw it into the washer. I also give it another good shake before tossing into the dryer. Don't need anyone having any kind of allergic reaction.

Just wash it in your machine. I don't think it will be a problem for you and I would sure want the cat hair off of it. I've used minky several times and have not had any problems with it.