Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Washing fabric >

Washing fabric

Washing fabric

Old 08-23-2010, 03:54 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
egagnon291's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Meriden, CT
Posts: 96
Default

Do you wash fabric before you use it? I have had several people tell me not to. I usually test a small piece if I think it will run, but otherwise I don't wash it before hand.
egagnon291 is offline  
Old 08-23-2010, 03:58 AM
  #2  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 13,257
Default

All the time.
SueDor is offline  
Old 08-23-2010, 03:58 AM
  #3  
Super Member
 
mygirl66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Flint, MI
Posts: 1,643
Default

I dont wash my fabrics first, unless I am using reds n whites together, which I only did once.
mygirl66 is offline  
Old 08-23-2010, 04:08 AM
  #4  
Super Member
 
justwannaquilt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Union, Missouri
Posts: 1,542
Default

nope! Sometimes I will rinse and hang dry fabric that I am afraid will bleed light the HUGE ammounts of red and blue that are going next to the even larger amounts of white/cream! lol I like to post-shrink instead of pre-shrink!
justwannaquilt is offline  
Old 08-23-2010, 04:09 AM
  #5  
Super Member
 
QuiltswithConvicts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,811
Default

I always wash fabric.

I had a horrible experience with a designer's brown fabric. I used it in one of my Dear Jane blocks. I spilled my soda on the block and rushed to run it under COLD water. That fabric started to bleed and never stopped. I threw it into the washer and ran it over & over. Finally threw the 2 yard piece away. Thoroughly disgusted and have never bought that designers fabric again!
QuiltswithConvicts is offline  
Old 08-23-2010, 04:14 AM
  #6  
Super Member
 
sahm4605's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Blue Springs, MO
Posts: 2,167
Default

i only wash batiks. they are a bleeding mess in many of their colors. or if I think that it will bleed then i will but otherwise i don't.
sahm4605 is offline  
Old 08-23-2010, 04:42 AM
  #7  
Super Member
 
hopetoquilt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,860
Default

I don't wash. Nice to know that Batiks bleed. I make several baby quilts and always warn the recipients that the quilts should be washed separately the first few times.
hopetoquilt is offline  
Old 08-23-2010, 05:16 AM
  #8  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
Default

it depends on lots of things...if it's batik's, hand dyes, or any i think may bleed, i pre-wash; if it's flannel, homespuns, or a loose weave fabric, i pre-wash. if i absolutely do not want something to shrink, i pre-wash.
if the fabrics are good- high quality, quilt shop fabrics and i am making a bed quilt i usually do not pre-wash; i wash the completed quilt after binding. which i always do, no matter what, even if the fabrics have been pre=washed i still wash the finished product.
ckcowl is offline  
Old 08-23-2010, 05:32 AM
  #9  
Super Member
 
candi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NE The Sunshine State
Posts: 3,910
Default

I always wash my fabrics before I use them. Not only for sizing and making sure they won't bleed/fade or whatever, but also to wash away the chemicals used in manufacturing. Also, I think about all the "hands" that touched these fabrics before I bought them, washing them gets rid of any germs or dirt that may have got on it (can you tell I work in health care lol?). Washing them gives me a peace of mind and an easy feeling while working with them.
Just my two cents.
candi is offline  
Old 08-23-2010, 05:53 AM
  #10  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
Posts: 9,393
Default

I used to but now I don't, unless they're batiks or flannels, unless I'm making a rag quilt.
pocoellie 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
bearisgray
Main
22
09-14-2012 02:26 PM
Nanamoms
Main
78
10-21-2011 07:30 PM
grammy17
Main
7
01-15-2011 08:40 PM

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