Quiltingboard Forums - washing fabric

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I recently washed a dozen 6" blocks. I put them into a lingerie bag and safety pinned them @ the 4 corners. They were 6 layers thick. It worked great. If I had made the bag to fit them securely it would worked even better. I can visualize wrapping the jelly roll tightly in a bag. Dry it in the dryer that way also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helen20906

Always wash my fabrics before using. Recently made a baby quilt and reached into the drawer and snipped fabric from a fabric collection that was tied together with a ribbon and tag. Didn't occur to me that I hadn't washed nor used any of my charm packs or jellyrolls because they are put together in such a tidy package. Also, had used adhesive spray to baste the quilt (it was great) and decided to wash the quilt when completed because it was going to a newborn -- that unwashed fabric bled. So sad. Still haven't figured out what to do with the jellyrolls, etc. because they will be difficult to prewash.

I posted this in a thread called "Flannel quilt - very very newbie" so if you've already read that skip this:

I just finished the top for a flannel quilt and did not prewash. I'm so new at this I probably squeak! Now what do I do? Go ahead and wash the top and backing separately? Try to zig zag the seams and then wash the top? Start over???? (I was getting good help on the thread I started, but since this was all about pre-washing I thought I'd try here for more.) The answer I WANT is, "Oh Honey, it'll be perfectly fine!" So far, that one's not out there. :(

I started sewing again this summer after 25 years or so off. I made a pillowcase from the monkey material for my 2-year-old grandson for practice. He loved his monkeys and that's where the idea came from. My daughter picked out the fabrics. I know now that the brown blocks are too dark for the rest of the light fabrics. Live and learn!

All flannel - none prewashed. Pooey!

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinkiris

I wash all fabrics before I take them to my sewing area, but I don't iron anything until I'm ready to use it. I figure that it's just going to get fold lines from being in my fabric cabinet while it's waiting to be "chosen"!

sue

Me too...

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanTx

I would take the top by itself and soak it in hot water, no agitation in the machine, when the water cools down, I would wring it out by hand and tumble dry it on warm. Putting it in a mesh wash bag would probably help. I would not sew it togeher without shrinking the flannel first. IMO

Quote:

Originally Posted by GailG

Quote:

Originally Posted by SewSewGal

I also use color catchers but I wash my fabrics with the family laundry. If I don't have a full load I add a couple of pieces of fabric. thanks for metioning not ironing until ready to use that will save me some time. Also how do you wash large pieces with out having a tackled mess

That has been my dilemma. I like to keep the fabric in one piece so that I can cut the length for borders and bindings.

BHW, I like the idea of adding fabric to the laundry.

I've heard 2 main things concerning prewashing fabric. First there is advice to refold the fabric lengthwise instead of selvage to selvage. It supposedly helps to keep the fabric from wrapping round the center shaft in the wash machine. the other was from a lady who serged the ends which totally stop the fabric raveling & tying itself in knots of threads. I haven't tried it yet but a zigzag stitch would probably work as well.

Yes, I've done both -- zigzagging and serging.
I like the idea of folding the fabric as suggested above. I will try it next time I have fabric to wash.