Washing fabric
#31
Power Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 18,726
I learned the hard way...I washed (well, in the sink) some fabric for a Dear Jane swap last year -yes, red- then I proceeded to make my set of blocks...18 were due. I had 11 made...had spent hours and hours on them. I laid the pile on my ironing board (which was damp from ironing something else) and I went to bed. The next day my ironing board was red!!!! and the white on the blocks had splotchy pink spots...I rushed them to the sink...they ran..and ran...and ran...wouldn't quilt.
I threw them in a drawer..threw away the rest of the red fabric...WASHED more fabric in the machine and started over.
YES...I always wash my fabric now...and I give Color Catchers with each quilt I give away.
I threw them in a drawer..threw away the rest of the red fabric...WASHED more fabric in the machine and started over.
YES...I always wash my fabric now...and I give Color Catchers with each quilt I give away.
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 959
I always wash all my fabric as soon as I get home from my
LQS. Washing removes excess dye and chemicals on the fabric.
Fabrics shrink when washed, but they all shrink at a different rate. If fabric isn't prewashed the fabrics may shrink differently when the quilt is washed the first time. Some fabrics have a lot of chemicals on them and is necessary to prewash to prevent illnesses like chemical sensitivity and formaldehyde allergies.
LQS. Washing removes excess dye and chemicals on the fabric.
Fabrics shrink when washed, but they all shrink at a different rate. If fabric isn't prewashed the fabrics may shrink differently when the quilt is washed the first time. Some fabrics have a lot of chemicals on them and is necessary to prewash to prevent illnesses like chemical sensitivity and formaldehyde allergies.
#35
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Springfield, Ohio
Posts: 5,446
I wash all my fabric since I made placemats without washing the fabric and the first time thru the wash there was shrinkage that made them look awful. I serge the raw edge before washing and that stops ravelling.
#37
I run test reds, purples and blacks all the time plus dark colors as I have had them put excess dye on to many projects. Put in hot water and squeeze a couple times, if water is clear -hang them to dry and press. Most of the sizing is still in there so they are still crisp. If they bleed, I use Retayne and Synthrapol to get excess dye out.
Just had 3 reds that bled like crazy. Thank goodness I tested them before putting them into my applique.
Just had 3 reds that bled like crazy. Thank goodness I tested them before putting them into my applique.
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 1,911
I didn't wash when I started, but then heard so many stories that I started washing almost everything. It gives me peace of mind. If I don't wash, I worry constantly as I'm sewing that the thing will bleed the first time it's washed and all my beautiful work will be ruined. It's not worth it.
#40
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Tucson
Posts: 82
I always at least pre-rinse fabrics to get the chemicals out and put them into the dryer to pre-shrink. If it is a red or a fabric I think will run, I place it into warm water, let it soak for 24 hours and keep changing the water until it stops running. Sometimes it is up to a week before all the excess dye is gone, then I do the vinegar trick to make sure it is set and let it soak again in warm water to make sure it will not bleed. Only then do I feel safe using the fabric.
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