Washed or unwashed fabric?
#1
I am very religious about pre washing my fabrics. When I started quilting that was what I was taught but now more people are not pre washing thier fabrics at all.
I wash mine before using them or putting them into my stash. In classes I cough and sneeze if I sit close to someone who hasn't washed their fabric.
So do you pre wash or not? If not may I ask why? One reason I hear is because unwashed fabric feels nicer to some folks. my reason is that I put alot of money and effort into my projects and sure would not want unwashed fabric to impact it down the line.
I wash mine before using them or putting them into my stash. In classes I cough and sneeze if I sit close to someone who hasn't washed their fabric.
So do you pre wash or not? If not may I ask why? One reason I hear is because unwashed fabric feels nicer to some folks. my reason is that I put alot of money and effort into my projects and sure would not want unwashed fabric to impact it down the line.
#2
I always prewash - especially strong colors like reds and dark blues and greens. I don't want bleeding after all the work of piecing a top! And if the fabric was a real deal, or a batik, for sure it goes in the wash first.
I just started buying Thimbleberries fabrics and they came with a note that they are made not to bleed, so prewashing is not necessary. Not even recommended!
I am going to leave them unwashed and see what happens.
I just started buying Thimbleberries fabrics and they came with a note that they are made not to bleed, so prewashing is not necessary. Not even recommended!
I am going to leave them unwashed and see what happens.
#5
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Camarillo, California
Posts: 35,242
I don't prewash. I like how well unwashed fabrics work. I also really like the "shrunk, old fashioned" look of my quilts after I wash them when done. I use cotton batting and it all kinda shrinks together and I like the look. I wash everything before it goes out the door and I use color catchers. Have not had an issure with colors runnin at all. Then again I don't use many dark reds. I will, however, wash all my flannels before using as they have such different shrinkage rates and shrink a lot more than "normal" fabrics. I tend to buy only the better quality (LQS) quilt fabrics, had several issues in the past with the cheaper fabrics and don't wish to repeat that. I am fortunate as the starches in the fabrics do not bother me.
#7
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Camarillo, California
Posts: 35,242
Originally Posted by NW Gal
Echoes, I just love your quilt shown in the photo. Where did you get the pattern?
No, I don't always wash my fabrics before cutting. When going to class I usually do if instructed to do so.
NW Gal
No, I don't always wash my fabrics before cutting. When going to class I usually do if instructed to do so.
NW Gal
#8
I don't usually prewash. I didn't know you were supposed to at first and didn't have any problems (so far) and so I just don't. I do prewash fatbacks to get some of the wrinkling out before I sandwich and quilt. Like Jim's Gem says, I do wash my quilts before I gift them.
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