Hello Everyone
I have a question regarding mixing materials. I have 2 packs of charm packs and some yards of material to make quilt for Mom. I normally prewash all my material first before cutting.
My question is since my charm packs are not pre washed, should I prewash the yards of material or make quilt first then wash when quilt is complete?

Sorry for the babbling..... LOL

Look forward to reading your answers!!

I usually make my quilts without washing first. I starch and iron the fabric before cutting. I would think that if you prefer to prewash, you could use one of those mesh bags designed for delicates to put your charmpack fabrics in. I would also put a big safety pin through the middle of each charm pack. Hope that helps.

I would just test the yardage for colorfastness. If it is colorfast, I would wait and just wash the whole quilt.

Also, it does not hurt to mix washed and unwashed fabrics as long as you are quilting reasonably close (every 4 inches or so). Quilting will keep fabrics from shrinking more than the batting shrinks. The problems with distortion typically come from mixing washed and unwashed fabrics in a tied quilt; the ties are not sufficient to prevent the fabrics from shrinking unevenly.

If possible, I either wash it all or none :D:D:D

I find the washer, even on a gentle cycle is to much agitation even in a mesh bag for small pieces of fabric. I go for the hand wash method for FQs and charms etc. Just toss into a bucket of hot water and touch of suds, gentle swish with my hand I do wash all my fabric before using it. Iron and size while still damp/dry. Mixing fabrics has never been a problem as long as they are of similar weights but this is also not a stedfast rule.
peace :D

Ummm. I have never bought a charm pack but I can only imagine the washing dilemma that would occur. I have to agree with Amma. Wash none of it until the whole thing is finished.

hand wash...use salad spinner to get the soapy water out
rinse and spin again!