Question on making quilts for shows/contests/etc.
 

There's been lots of opinions and conversations on pre-wash, post-wash, don't wash but if you're entering a quilt into a 'show', judged or not, juried or not, does it matter one way or the other?

Signed:

Just Curious

Interesting question. I never pre-washed fabric even for show. It is precision and the beauty of the quilt that will get you a ribbon every time.

It'll matter if a fabric bleeds onto something else and you can't get it out. Other than that, I can't think of a reason to prewash fabric for a show quilt.

Even if a fabric bled it wouldn't necessarily disqualify you or cause you to miss out on a ribbon - it's all in how you handle it. I know of one machine quilter whose quilt became blotchy. She tea dyed it, and it looked fabulous.


Janet

You really can't tell whether the fabric has been washed or not, so the judges wouldn't know.

I always wash my quilts after I quilt them. I like the scrunchy puffy look after it is washed. Would that look take away from the "precision" of the piecing, or the overall look of the quilt? I mean in the judges eyes.

When you consider that show quilts are generally blocked before submission, the possibility of bleeding becomes an issue, but that would be the only one I can think of. I always prewash, even for show, but working the way you work best is the smartest way to go, especially on show potentials.

Holice, we need your view on this.... :)

I know when you take classes they usually don't prewash I normally do not wash

I was taught in my class to wash, remove selvages, then press with magic sizing before cutting.

Now, that's a clever idea!

some shows specify unwashed so you do have to read the rules of each show carefully