I pre-wash to remove Chemicals and to check for bleeding. The drying causes the shrinking, so after it is cut and sewn, I know my quilt will not have shrinking squares since some fabric shrinks more than others. I have seen quilts that shrink in some squares and not others. it isn't a pretty sight or anything I want to happen after putting that much work into it. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Hi Gmarie
I always prewash my fabric as some does bleed and also shrinks I trim the edge of mine with a rotary cutter with a blade that works like pinkind shears then if you want the crispness use fabric sizing if you want stiffer then the spray starch also wash on a gentle cycle hope this helps
Dodie

definitely do this! i used to HATE prewashing because of all of the strings that needed cut off. i just prewashed many yards of fabric for a new quilt project after pinking the edges and i didn't have to trim any, not even one, string off! now i don't hate to prewash!

much easier if you invest in the rotary blade versus scissors (if you use the olfa rotary, you can just switch them out. watch for the 50% off rotary sales at jo-anns, if you have one. you can buy the individual pinking rotary blade). really quick and much easier on your hand/wrist!

a light bulb lit up the other day i was at the quilt shop looking at the charm square bundles. they are pinked! guess that's why, so they can be prewashed and won't fray!

I bought a pinking blade yesterday - I have 2 cutters so I will just leave one on. I see all your points in prewashing... and as long as I don't have to cut all those dreaded strings off... I may start doing it.

Just so you know, i feel your pain also. I had some material I prewashed (the only time ever I have done this) I lost atleast an inch to the fraying but the worst part was that is was badly cut off the bolt at the store so between the two I lost almost 1/4 of a yard of fabric.

you can get fabric sizing in any store that sells spray starch I buy mine at wal Mart and I keep both on hand and use for different purposes I use the starch if I want stiffer other than that the sizing I do not like the chemicals in the fabric as they also dull the sewing machine needle
Dodie

I only prewash fabric that is from discount stores, and that fabric I wash with hot water so it will do all the shrinking it is going to do. I have had some bad experiences with some of the lower price fabrics not shrinking uniformly and bleeding after 2 or 3 washes. It does not seem to do that after the hot water. I also use the color catchers. When I am using fabric from the fabric store and I am worried about it bleeding I cut a piece off and wet it then leave it wrapped in some white muslin overnight to see if it bleeds. If the expensive fabric bleeds I take it back to the store I bought it from!!!!

I just bought some flannel to do a rag quilt. One of the fabrics is bright red. If I prewash to get the bleed out, will it affect the rag when the quilt is washed to rag the edges when it is done?

The best answer would be to contact your swap group and ask them about soaking instead of washing.

Yes, using starch or sizing will give you that feeling of crispness.

Personally I don't like to wash fabric b4 using, but lots of people have developed allergies to the chemicals in fabric from the manufacturer and wash the moment they walk in the door. Also swappers might be concerned about shrinkage or bleeding of the fabric

which bring me back to .... contact your swap group.

hugs sue