When pre-washing how much shrinkage should we expect?
#1
I checked the board before I did the pre-wash of my new purchases and saw that many thought pre-wash was the way to go. I didn't measure my material before washing. But I did after washing and I was shorted up to 4 inches on one item. Of the four fabrics I purchased I was shorted 1/4-1/2" --1 1/2" -- 3" and 4" I can kind of understand the 1/4-1/2" one... but the others I am having trouble accepting. Thoughts comments?
Thanks
Thanks
#2
The quality of the fabric makes a difference. The ones that have a higher thread count (tighter weave) seem to shrink less than the lower thread count fabrics. It can vary quite a bit. I prefer to prewash so that if there is any additional shrinkage after the quilt is done, it will hopefully be consistent, rather than alot on one fabric and a little on another.
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 198
That's exactly why I pre-wash. Fabrics do not shrink at the same rates.
I think somewhere in the processing fabrics should get a nice hot bath but apparently they don't, so I pre-wash. Sometimes I even find a fabric or two that bleed, too, but it is the fear of uneven shrinking after I've finish making something that keeps me prewashing.
I do buy brand name quilting fabrics, usually on sale but if I need a color I might buy anything I can. I pre-wash!
Jois
I think somewhere in the processing fabrics should get a nice hot bath but apparently they don't, so I pre-wash. Sometimes I even find a fabric or two that bleed, too, but it is the fear of uneven shrinking after I've finish making something that keeps me prewashing.
I do buy brand name quilting fabrics, usually on sale but if I need a color I might buy anything I can. I pre-wash!
Jois
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: California
Posts: 3,502
I pre-wash everything except for pre-cuts like jelly rolls. I always buy quality jelly rolls like Moda and when making a jelly roll quilt it's all the same fabric so the shrinkage should be the same.
If I am adding other fabric to a jelly roll quilt it is likely from the same collection so I don't wash it either.
Otherwise, everything else gets washed, ironed and starched. I recently got a FQ set from Connecting Threads and I washed them. I was BARELY able to get two 8 1/2" (total of 17 inches) blocks across some of the the 18x22 pieces.
If I am adding other fabric to a jelly roll quilt it is likely from the same collection so I don't wash it either.
Otherwise, everything else gets washed, ironed and starched. I recently got a FQ set from Connecting Threads and I washed them. I was BARELY able to get two 8 1/2" (total of 17 inches) blocks across some of the the 18x22 pieces.
#6
I thought the 4" was excessive. I did clip the corners of the material before pre washing to keep the unraveling to a minimum - which there weren't many loose threads out of the washer or dryer.
Thanks for the inputs and info.
Thanks for the inputs and info.
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