I just completed a quilt top and backing for a baby quilt. Should I prewash them before or after I quilt it?

You want to wait until after you quilt and bind the top.

Thank you! I had thought about putting it in a nylon net sack that I wash stockings in, but wasn't too sure. Most of the time I try to prewash the fabric before I cut it. This time I didn't.

pre-washing you do before you cut your fabric..when the yardage comes through the door, if you do not pre-wash then you need to wait until project is finished (quilted and bound) before washing the final product- otherwise you will have a very ugly- stringy mess on your hands. you can pre-wash your backing if you have not yet, if you want...and if it is not pieced.

You are welcome. I normally prewash all my fabrics before cutting and sewing, can't imagine what would happen to the quilt top if you try to wash it before quilting and binding it, meaning fraying seams, you'll need to repress the seams...sounds like trouble to me. I know many people don't prewash and wait until the quilt is done and wash the quilt with no problems.
:P

I do prewash to prevent shrinking and see if the colors run.

I always prewash and iron all my fabric before I use it .I had a wonderful Home Ec. teacher in high school Mrs. Colvard and that was one of the things she told us we had to do we were also taught to put it on grain but with small quilt pieces I do not worry about that.

I do not prewash except reds then I wash with Retayne. I like the old look when the quilt is washed and dryed after it is finished.
Sue

I pre-wash the minute I get them home. Never know when I'm going to want to start cutting on them.

My MIL made all of the nine grandkids quilt tops several years ago with good intentions of finishing them & so far has only finished one! I took my kids home & just bought backing for one of them. It looks like none of the fabric was prewashed so I was wondering what to do. I am a religious prewasher! It looks like a variety of fabrics, including unbleached muslin. I had thought I probably shouldn't wash it before finishing becuase I am afraid of losing some seams to raveling. Glad to see this thread!