Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Washing Fabric before use. >
  • Washing Fabric before use.

  • Washing Fabric before use.

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 06-05-2010, 05:46 AM
      #21  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: MN
    Posts: 24,643
    Default

    Originally Posted by Jingleberry
    I always pre wash,totally dry, fold and put into my fabric cabinet. I iron when I get ready to use.
    Only think I add to that, is that I serge or zigzag the raw edges before washing the fabrics.
    bearisgray is offline  
    Old 06-05-2010, 07:57 AM
      #22  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jul 2008
    Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
    Posts: 10,477
    Default

    I have never pre-washed. Something in me does not feel the need to clean material that is not dirty.
    Boston1954 is offline  
    Old 06-05-2010, 08:24 AM
      #23  
    Banned
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Keene, New Hampshire
    Posts: 4,211
    Default

    [quote=erstan947]I don't prewash anything. Been successful.

    same with me
    I rarely wash anything unless I'm using alot of a solid (red and blue, particularly) and there's white cloth in the quilt.
    gollytwo is offline  
    Old 06-05-2010, 08:31 AM
      #24  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2008
    Location: British Columbia
    Posts: 2,352
    Default

    In sewing class, back in the olden days, we learned to pre-wash all fabric. I still do that, although I tend to mostly get it wet with hand-warm water, wring thoroughly, then let the dryer do the shrinking. I once threw a bunch of fat quarters through the wash and they shrank so much I couldn't make the pattern I had bought the kit for. I wouldn't pre-wash any pre-cut fabric again.

    If you participate in most swaps, the fabric used in them is to be pre-washed.
    b.zang is offline  
    Old 06-06-2010, 03:09 AM
      #25  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2007
    Posts: 64
    Default

    I've always washed fabric before quilting, because that's what i was taught, but this new one I'm working on isn't washed so i'll see what i get when it's all done.i'll wash it in cold water and hang to dry. With the natural wonder batting it might just come out the way i want.
    BarbieQ is offline  
    Old 06-06-2010, 04:01 AM
      #26  
    Banned
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: Sturbridge, Ma
    Posts: 3,992
    Default

    its always better to be safe then sorry. Again it depends on the ultimate use of the quilt. If wallhanging and never washed then I don't.
    However, I bought 7 coordinating pieces at the local big box store. They had a good coordinated group and the quilt is going to someone I know only casually. I used the pattern used as learning a new technique.....so with this said.
    I washed it all and glad i did because there was considerable difference in the quality within the 7 pieces, a couple shrank badely while others didnt. And since there was a lot of bias edges Iam sure I did wash.

    So ultimate use and then better to be safe than sorry about the results. If i don't wash then i at least spray and steam press or wet the piece and iron dry.
    Holice is offline  
    Old 06-06-2010, 04:19 AM
      #27  
    Super Member
     
    Honey's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2009
    Location: Central Wisconsin
    Posts: 1,660
    Default

    It really depends. If I buy from my lqs, I don't because I have never had anything that I have purchased from her shrink or bleed. When I buy from other places, I am more leary. But I always prewash flannels as some of them will shrink a lot.
    Honey is offline  
    Old 06-06-2010, 04:29 AM
      #28  
    Junior Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2010
    Location: Daphne, AL
    Posts: 124
    Default

    I soak every fabric before using or storing it - to shrink it and remove any excess dye. Better to be safe than sorry! It only takes a short time to do this procedure and a long, long time to repair a ruined quilt. Worse still to have to discard it because the dye ran - which it does with a surprising number of fabrics regardless of price per yard.
    Peggy is offline  
    Old 06-06-2010, 04:36 AM
      #29  
    Junior Member
     
    LBryan13790's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2009
    Location: Upstate NY
    Posts: 115
    Default

    If you are going to use the fabric to applique, the fusible web will not stick to unwashed fabric (sizing or something). I learned this the hard way after cutting out a zillion Christmas pillow gifts and the appliques all kept falling off as I was sewing!
    LBryan13790 is offline  
    Old 06-06-2010, 07:44 AM
      #30  
    Super Member
     
    klgreene's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: Brewerton, NY
    Posts: 2,489
    Default

    Just read your reply, I've been quilting for years and never washed anything, until it was all done. Never had a problem, but am more scared with the bolder colors I am using. You mentioned a color catcher. What exactly is that? I've never heard of it before.
    klgreene is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    IrishNY
    Main
    20
    07-21-2019 03:43 PM
    Juzsayin
    Main
    12
    05-01-2013 05:37 AM
    Nanamoms
    Main
    78
    10-21-2011 07:30 PM
    moonhoney2
    Main
    17
    05-22-2008 09:44 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter