Why not to wash top before quilting.
#1
Why not to wash top before quilting.
I read in message asking if they should wash a quilt top before quilting because of stains, etc. Thought I would show why you shouldn't do that.
My aunt gave me this top that my mother had made back in the 50's or 60's. I could tell it had been was wash because there edges were frayed. Anyway, I bought some pretty blue, lavender and white fabric for a backing and was going to quilt this to give away to one of my family members in a drawing.
When I washed the backing I decide to wash the quilt top because it had been laying around for so many years.
Lots of strings matted in with the triangle point making pretty good size knots that would surely break a needle.
Spent a little while cleaning up the seams before ironing the top and getting it ready to quilt.
My aunt gave me this top that my mother had made back in the 50's or 60's. I could tell it had been was wash because there edges were frayed. Anyway, I bought some pretty blue, lavender and white fabric for a backing and was going to quilt this to give away to one of my family members in a drawing.
When I washed the backing I decide to wash the quilt top because it had been laying around for so many years.
Lots of strings matted in with the triangle point making pretty good size knots that would surely break a needle.
Spent a little while cleaning up the seams before ironing the top and getting it ready to quilt.
Last edited by Barb_MO; 02-09-2015 at 12:11 PM.
#4
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I got a crib size quilt top at an estate sale couple years back. I stitched around the outside edge before washing. It had not been pre washed before but was glad I did. It bled a little. Some fraying but not like if I had washed on normal cycle. Threw into the dryer. Trimmed away the small amount of fraying pressed and looks good. It's all preference. Like I said it was crib size.
#5
I've washed them - but I also use the "hand wash" cycle which is a very slow agitation.
I only do this if there are "issues" and I figure it needs it. Since I inherited a bunch of my Mom's UFO's - and some have rodent stains - I want to make sure they will clean up before putting the effort into quilting them.
But then I also prewash ALL my fabric purchases - which has included about 7 bags of scraps and small yardages. They smelled smoky - and if I'd not got that out, I wouldn't have used them (BTW - I bought one bag and washed it, and when it "worked" I went back and bought the rest). Also went through a gallon of vinegar.
I did trim off all the loose threads between the washer and dryer. And I would get a quite a handful with each load.
I only do this if there are "issues" and I figure it needs it. Since I inherited a bunch of my Mom's UFO's - and some have rodent stains - I want to make sure they will clean up before putting the effort into quilting them.
But then I also prewash ALL my fabric purchases - which has included about 7 bags of scraps and small yardages. They smelled smoky - and if I'd not got that out, I wouldn't have used them (BTW - I bought one bag and washed it, and when it "worked" I went back and bought the rest). Also went through a gallon of vinegar.
I did trim off all the loose threads between the washer and dryer. And I would get a quite a handful with each load.
#8
I think women in America, in my experience, are overly zealous about cleaning in general and I think, imho, think about the thing being clean before anything else that may be relevant to the situation. We should take our time and think it through. Clean may not be the most important or first thing to be done to any project. Hope your quilt finishes up well. A pretty blue and white.
Thanks for posting this great visual lesson for everyone.
peace
Thanks for posting this great visual lesson for everyone.
peace
#9
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
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#10
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 10,357
I think women in America, in my experience, are overly zealous about cleaning in general and I think, imho, think about the thing being clean before anything else that may be relevant to the situation. We should take our time and think it through. Clean may not be the most important or first thing to be done to any project. Hope your quilt finishes up well. A pretty blue and white.
Thanks for posting this great visual lesson for everyone.
peace
Thanks for posting this great visual lesson for everyone.
peace
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09-17-2011 02:30 PM