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to wash or not to wash

to wash or not to wash

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Old 09-14-2011, 07:52 PM
  #31  
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I wash, I have had some nastie suprises when I didn't wash first! after 2 ruined quilts One because the green ran all over the yellow (did not want blue in that quilt)and the same year after hours of piecing to wash it and have the white shrink and pull blocks off center. I learned my lesson! LOL
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Old 09-14-2011, 08:20 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by Julie in WA
I don't prewash fabric unless it looks like it might bleed. Then I take a small piece of the fabric and test it for color-fastness to determine if a wash is necessary. It gives me peace of mind.

I recently bought a large amount of fabric at an estate sale; this woman did prewash all her fabrics. Get this: she zigzagged around every single cut of fabric (mostly fat quarters) before washing. I know it prevents tangled threads, but what a lot of extra work!!!
I'm another one of those "crazy women" - except now I use a serger to overcast the edges.

With the high price of fabric, I don't want to lose a lot of it to fraying.
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Old 09-14-2011, 08:22 PM
  #33  
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I guess I'm dumb.

I can't tell just by looking at a fabric if it will shrink or have excess dye.

I've had one or more pieces of just about every intense color have excess color or bleed. Including yellow - and the red, green, and brown that were from that same line did not spill color.
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Old 09-14-2011, 08:27 PM
  #34  
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I always wash everything larger than a FQ. But I have washed FQs in the past. I have to get rid of the chemicals. I also like working with washed fabric.
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Old 09-14-2011, 08:38 PM
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I wash all fabrics as they come into the house. Gets rid of chemicals and smells, as well as telling if a fabric bleeds.
Then wash the project when done.
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Old 09-14-2011, 08:39 PM
  #36  
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I normally dont wash...except red and batiks
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Old 09-14-2011, 09:02 PM
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I don't prewash, but I do test it first to see if it will bleed, if it does then I prewash it, otherwise I don't. :)
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Old 09-14-2011, 09:04 PM
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No prewashing here unless for a swap.
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Old 09-14-2011, 09:04 PM
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No prewashing here unless for a swap.
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Old 09-14-2011, 09:04 PM
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can you use the SEARCH feature here and do it from the gazillion other topics that are worded just like yours?

my vote is to WASH it all before it goes on the shelf!
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