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Prewashing batting
I like to preshrink batting, and I had a problem doing it in my dryer. So what I did recently is soak Hobbs 80/20 in hot water in the bathtub. I tried very hard not to stretch it at all when i dried it. However, it measured 125" x 126" before I soaked it, and it measures 136" x 136" now. How is that possible?
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Then I guess you stretched it!
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Originally Posted by QuiltE
(Post 4991710)
Then I guess you stretched it!
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When using the bathtub method... use a plastic laundry basket to remove it. I use my washer .. and soak overnight.. then spin.. then gently remove and place in the dryer. Most of the shrinkage takes place in the dryer.
You could try re- shrinking to get the batting back to its "final" state. I would be cautious that any stretching you did will revert the first washing/drying. |
You know I never pre-shrink my batting in any way shape or form. Never have any trouble with it.
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Did you measure the 125x126? or was that the size on the package?
Perhaps it came larger that the package said? Perhaps call the Hobbs 1-800# to tell them your concerns and ask your questions. |
I like the little bit of shrinkage I get when a quilt is washed. I also like to use Hobbs 80/20 fusible batt for machine quilting. It is water soluable so if I washed it, no fusible which defeats the point in using it. I don't know why your batt has grown unless the hot water relaxed the fibers? I think you need to do a few experiments to see if it will shrink again. Cut a couple of 8 inch quilt sandwiches and quilt them with the same pattern. Wash one that you didn't pre-shrink/stretch the batt and one that the batt stretched in it. Re-measure them both to see if they are still 8 inches after washing and drying and go with what look you like best. Good luck!
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I heard that the shrinkage in fabric happens in the last 10 minutes-ish of drying. Since batting is a fiber also, would spraying the batting with water til wet (but not as much as actually soaking in water) and putting it in a hot dryer do about the same as actually washing it? I also like the pucker so I haven't tried the method, but it seems if it weren't so wet, it would not stretch so much when handled.
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I have never prewashed my batting before. It sounds risky, but it looks like the gals have and it sounds like it works.
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The starting dimensions, I measured, so it did somehow stretch. I'm taking yngldy's advice and spritzing it with water and putting it in the dryer. If that doesn't work, before I try the other suggestions, which were really good, I will call Hobbs and see what they suggest.
I'm making a quilt that I don't want to look antique--it's kind of modern, so I want the batting preshrunk. |
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