Preparing for Applique
 

I'm trying my 1st applique project and I don't know if I'm supposed to wash the fabrics beforehand. I'm going to use fusible web.

Should I wash all my fabrics before I applique?

Another question - does grain matter? I know I'll need bias for flower stems, but what about flower petals? Does grain matter?

I'm not washing my fabric. And grain will matter with hand quilting. I don't know if it matters with the fusible. With hand applique cutting on the bias makes for easier curves.

I've only done needle turn, and perhaps different concerns apply with fusible. I've heard people say that washed fabric will ravel more easily than unwashed, but I don't know if that's a concern when doing fusible. I wash everything, including my applique fabrics, and I've never had a problem. I learned from the Piece 'O Cake ladies, and they cut everything on the bias because the edges are then easier to turn (which, again, might not be an issue with fusible).

If you wash the fabric, you can use spay sizer or starch to make the pieces easier to work with. Benefit of preaching is you don't put many hours of work into something and then have it bleed.

wash yes.....apply starch for sure.

are you planning on putting a fusible onto the back and then fusing it to the backing? Will you be then stitching down the edges (either straight stitch or a blanket) If so, I don't think either prewashing or worrying about bias is needed as the fusible will both keep it from stretching and you won't be able to turn under, which is why you want that bias on curves when you hand turn applique.

Either don't wash it all or wash it all. Don't wash just some of it.
Marcia

Some fusibles don't adhere properly to fabrics that are not prewashed. Factory sizing keeps the fusible from making a good bond. I know for a fact this is true with the product Misty Fuse but for some it doesn't matter as long as it stays put long enough to secure the fusible with stitching. I can't say for sure about other products.

i would definitely pre-wash. as prev said, gets the finishing chemicals out for best adhesion