I also use shout color catchers

How do you wash large pieces of fabric with out it getting all tangled up. this has been a nightmare for me

Here's what you do: You pin the edges together along the selvedge and wash, rinse, dry! As an added bonus to doing it this way you may not even have to iron it! (Depends on the fabric)

What a neat idea! Thanks for sharing!! This is one I'll most definitely use.

I think the advice that one doesn't need to wash fabric before cutting it (especially for an item that will be washed again) is right up there with thinking that one can't get pregnant the first time one has sex.

i used to have that problem, but when we had to replace the washer, we got a front loader... mostly to save excess water going thru the septic system, but a nice side benefit was that my large pcs of fabric aren't tangled up anymore...

went shopping on the way home, washer is running as we speak!!

I learned the hard way. washed red rug and a few days later other cloths..now i have all pink panties, bras, a couple of pink under shirts...i'm color coordinated....all pink....also, got rid of the rugs....

I always wash all but flanney if making a rag quilt....

And if using flanel for backing I was at least 2 times for flanel will shrink a few times just like blue jeans.

ConnieF

Oh in reading more I steam jelly rolls etc before using

Don"t wash fabric that you are going to use for any fussy cutting or kalidioscope projects because we had folks in a class once who did and their projects would never come out
the way they were supposed to be. I don't know why but they don't.

I washed the fabric I used for this type of block - I did use sizing or starch on this fabric before cutting it - and my blocks are just fine.

I fussy cut each piece individually.

ALWAYS, never used to, but was told that I MUST and so glad that I do, bought a quilt top ,assured no need to wash but did and WOW LOTS BLED V BADLY!!

A friend of mine once said she doesn't wash fabrics before because she doesn't want her quilts to look old before she makes them. If I wash a quilt I always use vinegar in the wash to help keep the colors from running. Otherwise, I try not to wash quilts.

An interesting article about dyes and setting dyes

http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/settingdye.shtml

I bought a piece of dearer of red fabric since it was the only one I could get. well I washed it to get the excess dye out of it and it kept bleeding. I used 2-44gallon drums of cold water and it still bled. I returned it to shop and got the brand I always buy. Now I wash all my fabric in hot soapy water and put salt and vinegar in the water to help set the dye, leaving the water to go cold. When I rinse the fabric I do it in hot water, if it bleeds I repeat the process, but it never has so far. Thank goodness, we only have tanks and can't afford water wastage. I just read you link on dyeing and I still think for me any way salt and vinegar together stops the dye from bleeding.

I have the prducts Retayne and Synthropol on the recommendation of a friend but I am not sure when to use which. Can someone give me more info about them?

it really is worth reading - and not overly technical

Thanks for the link - guess I should have read it before asking the question :)

I get all of them confused, too.

My method is to wash/soak the fabric until the water runs clear - or clear "enough"

My reason is that I am reasonably sure that the quilt will need to be washed at some time. I am also reasonably sure that the recipient will not be aware of all these techniques - about the best I hope for is "wash in warm or cold water - on a gentle cycle - and avoiding bleach or bleach-like substances"