OK, I guess I don't have to tell you that I am an almost absolute beginner (I've finished one quilt and am working on the second). This time I got all my fabric home and was excited to start using the Accuquilt machine I got for Mother's Day and ... I cut all my squares before I washed them. Oops. What to do now? Do I have to start over again with new fabric or can I stitch the unwashed fabric and pray it turns out OK?

Thanks ...

Just start sewing! It should be fine.
I definitely wouldn't wash them now! :)

you do not have to wash fabric before you use it. When it's a finshed quilt and you wash it, it will just have a more crinkled look to it :)

Happy Quilting!

I don't prewash :wink: so I would go for it!
Just add a color catcher or two when you launder your finished quilt :D:D:D

Make your quilt when you wash it for the first time use a color catcher. A lot of people do not wash there fabric first and have no problem,

I never prewash. Just carry on and you'll be fine. :) And show us what you made when you're done!

good advice!

No, don't wash now. Sew, sew, sew.Don't wash the backing either. When you do wash, use a "Color Catcher" in the wash. Your quilt will be fine.

Wow, thanks so much everyone. What a helpful and friendly group of people ... so glad I found this forum!

Never prewash...I like to cut with the sizing in the fabric and I've never had a problem washing after it together gives it an older antique look...

The only pre-wasing UI do is batiks which are dark andhave a great deal of colot. I do however - wash my quilts after they are put together and quilted to get out all that sizing that I used putting them together - and also the sizing that is on the fabric when you buy it

Just go for it. Sew! Use a color catcher with first wash

Go for it..I hardly ever pre-wash !!

Just sew and enjoy...I hardly ever prewash....

I never prewash. If it is going to shrink, let it all shrink together. If you are quilting with a white (very light) color and a color that might bleed, then you probably have to prewash the dark color that will bleed.

Get to stitchin'!

I would not prewash at this point -- if you buy the precuts wyou would not was them.

As arule, I don't prewash. However, I do prewash my reds and dark blues since I have had some sad experiences. I also prewash flannels since I have had wildly varied shrinkage even in the same fabric line.

everyone has their own method/opinion about washing or not washing. But lets look at it this way.
If you use an assortment of fabrics from different manufacturers and different qualities and you don't wash. There is a good chance some will shrink more than others.
Do you really want a puff looking quilt. If it were me. I would wash them all and precut the squares to the same size even tho it will take a bit longer.

You will be fine! Enjoy making your quilt!

I never prewash and, knock wood, have never had a problem.

no washing necessary

I am a confirmed pre-washer but I agree with the others here---just get sewing and wash it after with a color catcher.
Don't forget to share pictures with us when it is complete!

I never prewash when I use my Accuquilt machine. The fabric cuts much better.

I only prewash because I am allergic to some chemicals that are used in fabric - otherwise I would not prewash.

Quilting isn't like regular sewing. I did the same thing, only it was while making a rag quilt. For sure you don't preshrink when making them.

That's what is fun about quilting, you just purchase what you need and start your project with nice crisp fabric!!!

Meg

I'm with the rest - go for it. Make your quilt and THEN wash it.

Put the pedal to the metal. What's the worst that can happen. If it krinkles when the quilt is washed, it'll add character. If it fades, you can still use it. Would make a nice picnic quilt or a quilt for the car.

like all have said before. i wouldn't worry about washing the fabric. I only sink wash fabric that bleeds. and that is to help keep it from messing up the quilt. but if you use a color catcher it should be just fine.

I agree with all the others. When I first started quilting, I did prewash. After a couple years, I was told I didn't have to. Now, the only time I prewash is with red or dark blue. When I wash the quilt for the 1st time, I do use a color catcher and have never had any problems. Good luck!

100+ quilts later - I have never prewashed. I like the fabric weight unwashed to cut. I have only ever had one color run and a second wach with color catcher took care of it. Use the color catcher initially and it will be fine.

I am also new at quilting. I have made 3 quilt tops now, and I am somewhat confused about using the Retayne or the color
catcher sheets. I have red, white and blue quilts; one for brother and one to donate to a dialysis patient. Will the Retayne set the colors to keep from fading? Then do I use the color catchers to keep the fabric from bleeding on the white color. Or do I use them both at the same time?

I never pre wash fabric so keep on quilting.

Thanks for replying to my question. I meant the washing of the
quilt after it is quilted. I am doing red white and blue. I am concerned about the red bleeding,

I don't prewash....just sew!

You might want to use Best Press to keep the shapes you have cut from stretching.

Prewashing? That's another issue.

Enjoy the piecing and post a pic when you are done.

ali

I rarely prewash my fabric. But I do toss in a Shout color catcher when the quilt is completed and being washed for the first time.

Sew away

DITTO!

i never wash, who started that the washing of new fabric

I'm part of the "I never prewash" club, except for deep RED or very dark fabrics. They get washed to make sure they don't bleed.

Just make sure that if you pre-wash some, pre-wash it all. Otherwise, the un-washed will shrink and the pre-wash won't.