I want to get my B&Y lap quilts sandwiched. Do I need to wash the batting first since the fabric is preshrunk??

Thank you,

Kyia

If you do not want/like the crinkly look to your quilt, I would atleast spray it down well and toss it in the dryer.

I have never washed my batting, so can't really advise you.

I've washed my warm and natural cotton batting - I didn't measure it first, so I don't know if it shrank or not

I bought some Quilter's Dream - and the BACK of the label said "Do not wash" - shrinkage less than one percent - I was not impressed with this when I took it out of the package

The polyester ones - I would not wash

hmmm, I threw away the package that it came in. I think I will not wash it until after it is quilted. Will see how it goes. I hope it does not get all bunched up.

Thank you all for your responses.

Kyia

I PUT MY WARM AND NATURAL IN THE WASHER WITH WARM WATER, BUT DO NOT LET IT AGITATE. I JUST LET IT SET COVERED IN WARM WATER FOR AN HOUR OR SO. THEN DRAIN THE WATER, AND SPIN. THEN I FLIP IT CAREFULLY OVER A DOOR IN THE WASHROOM AND LET IT DRY. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HELPS OR NOT. DIDN'T REALLY LIKE IT WHEN I PUT IT IN THE DRYER ON LOW HEAT. DIDN'T HURT THE BATTING THO.

Do not "wash" batting. You will end up with the world's largest cotton ball and it will be totally useless for batting.

If you wish to _pre-shrink_ batting put it in the washer and fill with hot water. Turn the washer off and let it sit for 15 minutes. Turn the dial to spin and turn the washer back on. After the water has spun out put the batting in the dryer on high. Check it after 10 minutes or so. You will probably have to unwind it and put the damp sides to the outside.

I use a thin 70% cotton / 30% poly batting for lap quilts. I wash it on delicate in cold water and line dry it (we don't have a tumble dryer). It shrinks a bit, and comes out nice and soft and pliable. I pre-wash all my fabrics and my batting, then I wash the quilt again once it's finished. I like quilts to be nice and soft and cuddly when I gift them. I don't know if 100% cotton batting washes as well. Your quilt will probably come out "crinkly" if you don't wash it at all, though.

Jan

I have never washed my batting. But I like the crinkled look.

Why????

I love the look of a quilt after it is finished, wash it, dry it....and it's soft, a little crinkly from the stitching. Remember......it's a quilt, not a smooth sheet.

Again, it's like washing your fabric, more a preference & choice.......rather than a 'RULE'.

I don't wash my batting, but I do toss it in the dryer for twenty minutes before I sandwich my quilts.

since batting is not a fabric per se, it is pressed fibers and i would not trust it to hold up by prewashing it. after the quilting is done and the quilt is stabilized, then its ok to wash. i would leave the first wash up to the new owner.

I've never washed my batting. I use Warm and Natural and wash my quilts AFTER they are finished. They come out fine...don't have a crinkly look at all.

I have never heard of washing your batting. It's new to me.

i use warm and natural and have never washed it prior to quilting and have never had a problem

I always wash my Warm and Natural cotton batting. I put it in my front load washer, a tsp. of detergent and let it wash. Then I put it in the dryer in the same way I want to wash it when completed. It's a very sturdy and quality product and works well for me. Easier to work with too.

I have NEVER washed my batting. I use Warm and natural only
I guess it is because I like the look of the quilt afterwards :-D

I have never thought about washing batting before. I use Warm and Natural and it probably would stand up to it, I feel I do not need to as I do not wash the fabric either.

i use warm and natural 80/20. i washed it on gentle, hot, then tumbled it, gently, hot. only did this once and that was enough for me. it came out very soft but very pilly. the pills didn't affect the finished quilt, but i had pills all over my room for weeks afterward. since i prewash all my fabric, i don't think i have to wash the batting. i don't think it shrinks enough (1%) to worry about.

In the early days of Warm and Natural, there was a lot of cotton hull stuff in the batting and washing it took the natural oils out. I used to toss it in the wash and let it sit, then spin out and dry in the dryer. It never disintegrated. However, since they changed the manufacturing method, I have not prewashed batting and had no trouble with shrinkage. (Warm and Natural or Warm and White)

MadQuilter, I'm glad you said that about Warm & Natural changing their processing. I hadn't heard that, and always pre-washed to get out any oils and such. Now I can happily do away with that pesky pre-wash step. Thanks! :)

Thank you all for the replies. My concern was that b/c the fabrics were prewashed and the batting isn't preshrunk it might create a big mess. I will try it without and take it as a learning experience. I just don't want to ruin the quilts since they are for my grandmothers.

Thanks again,

Kyia

I let my warm and natural soak in warm water in the washer and then just spin and put in dryer until almost dry, hang over shower rod or wash line. I measured before and after and it did shrink 3 inches. My fabric was prewashed so I didn't want the batting to pull the fabric out of whack when washed. Now, if there is anymore shrinking they can shrink together.

It depends on the batting. I have had a mishap in years past, so I read the instructions very carefully before I use them. I do soak the warm and natural and dry it. Like someone said ... They can shrink up to three inches. But, for the most part, I buy the ones that are 80 20 so I don't have to.

It also depends on the kind of look you want to create. If you want a good crinkly quilt then don't prewash your fabric or preshrink your batting. If you want a fairly smooth, modern look, prewash the fabric and preshrink cotton battings or use a poly batt. There are other variations too. Do what works for you and gives you the look you want.