I just love getting squishy packages, don't you? These are such lovely strips that I can't wait to see them all put together. One question, how do I wash / pre-shrink them?
Thanks!!

I love that. I can't wait to see it progress. Can we have more pics along the way?

If they measure only the width needed for your quilt, you might want to just soak them and then put them in a lingerie bag to dry in the dryer. And I think some of those colors look like they might fade. Maybe some one else will have a beter idea. Guess maybe that is why I haven't bought pre-cut strips yet. Good luck - love the quilt pattern.

That quilt is going to be so pretty! I wouldn't prewash the strips. I think you'll be fine. Maybe the first time you wash the finished quilt, use one of those color catchers, cold water, and gentle soap. Now get sewing! LOL!

I'd take the strip groups and put them in a sinkful of hot soapy water. Reds, Oeanges, and Purples have all run on me in the past. If there is no color in the water after soaking ten minutes or so, I would rinse and hang over plastic hangers to air dry.

Since you'll be assembling next to whites, I would still use color catchers the first couple times it gets washed.

Yummy fabrics!! Cannot wait to see your quilt!!!

This is going to be a beautiful quilt. Can't wait to see it finished.

I would take the brights and the darks and seperate them...
Do do loads of gentle with them in a lingerie bag...
Dry same, med heat...
Just my 2 strips...
K

I like the design and love the bright colors Its going to look great.

I wouldn't pre wash the strips. After the quilt is finished I would wash in cold gentle cycle with a color catcher and dry on low heat or air dry

I am a pre-washer too, but I wouldn't wash these. I would not wash any part of this quilt and then wash in cold water with a color catcher or two in the washer. If you use a cotton batting and quilt it in cotton thread, then wash it will "crinkle" up and look really snuggly.

DD

awesome. don't ya just love pkgs?

Beautiful fabric! Can't wait to see the quilt finished. And no, I wouldn't prewash either. Get to work :D

Oh, that will be so pretty!

I would wash them out by hand in the sink and lay them out on a towel to dry.

Very Pretty!! Did you order a kit with a pattern?

Thank you all for your replys and suggestions. I have never used a color catcher before, is that something I can get at a regular store, or does it need to be a fabric / quilt store?

Yes, the strips came as a kit along with the pattern. I saw it many places as I was doing the fabshophop this month. This one was the least expensive since it had only the strips and did not include the background fabric. I will post progress pics for you all to see. :P

Love the kit.

Color Catcher is invaluable and it works. You buy them in any grocery store or good old wally world. They are with the rest of the laundry supplies. The ones I have are made by Johnson & are Shout. I don't know if anyone else makes them now.

They look like a dryer sheet and you throw it in when you wash your fabric and you can wash red with white and the color goes into this square instead of into the other fabrics. Don't ask me how but I can tell you it works.

I am a firm believer in prewashing everything because I have a pink quilt that used to be reds & white. What you are working with is a little harder because of the strips but whenever you wash it I would use the color catcher.

I don't prewash unless i get fabric from other people to add to my fabric then i do since i don't know if they did. I would also buy that color catcher.

I have again learned something today....I've never used nor have I ever HEARD of "color catchers" until this thread came. You can bet I'll be looking for it in the grocery store the next time I go. This PROVES an old dog CAN learn new tricks! :lol: Thanks!

Thanks! I will definately find and use them. I don't want this one to run, the colors are too pretty.

I can't wait to see the finished product; that is going to be a beautiful quilt. Yes, I would probably prewash. Separate the colors as someone else suggested. (But, I like the color catcher idea. I'm going to have to try that product---must work well, so many have mentioned it!)

Oooh, pretty colors!!! A white cotton wash cloth is also a good color catcher. I found this out completely by accident. I think I would hand wash, otherwise you may not have anything left to sew. A friend of mine told me that her Mother adds a capful of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to set the colors in, therefore reducing any further bleeding of colors. Good luck and please share your work in progress. Looks like it's going to be pretty.

Such pretty colors. I have never heard of a color catcher either...will have to keep my eyes open next grocery trip!

CAn't wait to see the finished product!