Hi all,

I am one of those quilters who pre-wash their fabric, primarily because of the chemicals and secondly the shrinkage. I just washed a bunch this morning, and once again have a problem with strings.

I read somewhere to clip the ends from the corner in and it will prevent the strings. Did that, didn't work. I wondered what those of you who pre-wash do to prevent the strings.

Thanks!
Trina

Maybe you could try a bag they use for nylons to wash them. Or something like that to help with the strings going crazy. Good luck :-)

Some surge the ends, use pinking shears on the ends, How I avoid that problem is I don't prewash:) Happy Quilting

I got a blade for my rotary cutter that gives my fabric a zig zag edge like I had used pinking sheers. Using pinking sheers for a bunch of fabric makes my hands too tired but the rotary cutter with the zig zag is easy.

LOL Yep.

You could sew the ends together with a straight stitch...but that would still allow for threads from the seam allowance to unravel, I suppose...

I only pre-wash flannels

you've got suggestions above that are good - but in the interest of using lemons to make lemonade - cut off and save the gnarly threads and use them in art quilts or give them to an art quilter..there are lots of uses for them for the right person...yes, it's true!

I was thinking the same thing. I have one of those blades and they are awesome. I only prewash batics so I don't have that problem.

Don't agitate the fabric, just soak it in warm detergent water then rinse and spin. My new washer doesn't agitate, just swishes so no strings! This was worth buying a new washer!

I have a front loader. Honestly, I do not have a problem with the threads and I prewash everything. Different story when I had a top loader.