What a bother....washing fabrics
09-05-2011, 03:56 PM
#62
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: maine/washington
Posts: 1,572
I have a second shower curtain rod in the middle of my tub so I can dry fabric without using the dryer -- In summer I hang it outside. I heard a talk show caller upset that anyone would hang clothes outside -- Unclean she thought.
09-05-2011, 04:48 PM
#63
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Posts: 296
Originally Posted by Prism99
I don't pre-wash. If there's a color I suspect might bleed, I test a small piece in a glass of water to see if dye runs, then rub the damp fabric against white fabric to see if dye transfers. Saves me a lot of time!
Regarding shrinkage, it's true that fabrics can shrink a lot when washed. However, after a fabric is quilted closely in a quilt sandwich, it is the batting that controls shrinkage. Meaning, if a fabric would shrink 8% if washed by itself but batting shrinks 3%, the fabric will also shrink only 3%. Fabric shrinkage *is* a problem for quilts that are tied or quilted with lines far apart, as the batting will then not control the fabric.
Regarding shrinkage, it's true that fabrics can shrink a lot when washed. However, after a fabric is quilted closely in a quilt sandwich, it is the batting that controls shrinkage. Meaning, if a fabric would shrink 8% if washed by itself but batting shrinks 3%, the fabric will also shrink only 3%. Fabric shrinkage *is* a problem for quilts that are tied or quilted with lines far apart, as the batting will then not control the fabric.
If it is well quilted it will be fine as long as you don't over dry the quilt in a hot dryer. Common sense prevails.
09-05-2011, 05:00 PM
#65
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Hopewell, VA (for the moment anyway)
Posts: 1,692
So far the only fabrics that I wash are for this RR I am doing. I nevr wash first......I make, quilt and wash in cold water with a color catcher and have never had any problems.
09-05-2011, 06:25 PM
#66
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Posts: 1,795
Originally Posted by Caroline S
I followed Deb's suggestion and it took away my ironing phobia. And, if you are using dark or red fabrics you should always pre-wash with a color catcher. My DD wanted to use a red flannel for the backing of a baby quilt. After washing 5 times, yes, 5, it was still bleeding and she decided not to use it.
09-05-2011, 06:30 PM
#67
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Posts: 1,795
I use to do this too - I was so excited to get it washed - ironed - and in my stash, I'd clip the corners, pin the edges together and in the washer as soon as I got the fabric home. TODAY I have a nice piece of white on white washed and dried hanging on a hanger so it won't smash more wrinkles into it just waiting to be ironed, AND a bag of 14+ yards of fabric I bought Saturday waiting to start the process. I took the Holiday Weekend off.... :oops: .... :lol:
09-05-2011, 06:32 PM
#68
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 2,474
Originally Posted by Deb watkins
I don't press them till I am ready to use. Folding them usually takes care of the majority of wrinkles.
09-05-2011, 07:12 PM
#70
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: California, USA
Posts: 1,325
I, too, wash my fabrics. In fact, last year I decided to wash all of my fabrics, that is my collection of fabric from the last 30+ years. Was that a chore and or what? It has taken me over a year doing it, but now I know that when I grab a piece of fabric off the shelf, I don't have to worry about whether it is washed or not.
I clip the corners of the fabric. I use a thimbleful of detergent that is for baby clothes. Some fabrics will not bleed until the soap is in the water. I toss in one of those 'color catcher' sheets, sometimes 2 sheets if I think that there will be a lot of extra dye in the wash (especially for a load of red or dark color fabrics). I put it on gentle wash, warm water and shorten the washing time on the washing machine. Then I take them out of the washer and cut any long threads so the fabric won't tangle in the dryer. When the dryer goes off, I fold them immediately. Since I am a tactile person, I actually enjoy doing this. Please note: I don't use any softener of any kind. You want your fabric totally clean. Softener will just make your sewing difficult with limp fabric.
When I do iron my fabric (because I am using it)I only cut off what I need and iron AND starch the fabric. The stiffer the fabric, the easier it is to be accurate when cutting and sewing.
One of the reasons you DON'T want to iron the fabric is that you don't want to press a crease in the center of the fabric. Sometimes it is very hard to iron out when you do finally need the fabric. Just folding it without ironing will help this problem.
A lot of people have chemical allergies and aren't even aware of it. Handling unwashed fabrics and touching your eyes, nose and skin can cause quite a reaction. Often times it is a reaction that builds up over time and then BOOM you suddenly have an itchy rash and you wonder where it came from.
I clip the corners of the fabric. I use a thimbleful of detergent that is for baby clothes. Some fabrics will not bleed until the soap is in the water. I toss in one of those 'color catcher' sheets, sometimes 2 sheets if I think that there will be a lot of extra dye in the wash (especially for a load of red or dark color fabrics). I put it on gentle wash, warm water and shorten the washing time on the washing machine. Then I take them out of the washer and cut any long threads so the fabric won't tangle in the dryer. When the dryer goes off, I fold them immediately. Since I am a tactile person, I actually enjoy doing this. Please note: I don't use any softener of any kind. You want your fabric totally clean. Softener will just make your sewing difficult with limp fabric.
When I do iron my fabric (because I am using it)I only cut off what I need and iron AND starch the fabric. The stiffer the fabric, the easier it is to be accurate when cutting and sewing.
One of the reasons you DON'T want to iron the fabric is that you don't want to press a crease in the center of the fabric. Sometimes it is very hard to iron out when you do finally need the fabric. Just folding it without ironing will help this problem.
A lot of people have chemical allergies and aren't even aware of it. Handling unwashed fabrics and touching your eyes, nose and skin can cause quite a reaction. Often times it is a reaction that builds up over time and then BOOM you suddenly have an itchy rash and you wonder where it came from.
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