Mitty

This is what I’ve picked up from reading threads on the topic.

The reasons some people prewash are:
- To remove the sizing from the fabric. The fabric feels and hangs differently after the sizing has been removed (which can be considered a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your view). I’ve read of at least one person being sensitive to the chemicals.
- To remove any dirt and oils that have gotten on the fabric
- To shrink the fabric. Different fabrics (and especially different fabric types) shrink different amounts, so it can help reduce uneven shrinkage in the finished quilt.
- To see if the fabric bleeds. Red is the only color that I’ve had problems with myself (and of course not all reds). Some people wash all their quilts with color catchers, and so are not concerned with bleeding.


With pre-cut pieces of fabric, the shrinkage can cause problems if it leaves the pieces too small. I bought a kit for something once and it left the pieces too small, and I had to make some adjustments. Raveling is also more of an issue with smaller cuts since that can also leave the pieces too small. If you do decide to prewash small pieces, putting them in a lingerie bag can help with the raveling, or you can just swish them around in water or soap and water.

I do prewash fabrics in my washing machine, but for anything smaller than maybe half a yard I would either skip it or hand wash them.

In the end it's just a preference, but I hope this helps in deciding what you want to do.

coopah

I would not wash the small pieces, and since those weren't washed, I wouldn't do any of it. Your quilt shop person is absolutely WRONG about quilt store fabrics not bleeding. I have some black I'll send her. And red. And blue. SHE can get them not to bleed. They are now in my scrap pile for dog beds. Yes, I know about the chemicals to stop the bleeding, but I'm not into more chemicals. I will not name a brand of fabric, but it is a well respected name in fabric and was purchased at a quilt shop. So, since your fabric is a kit, just make it and use Color Catchers (several) when you do wash it for the first time. I will say that the Quilting Treasures brand processes their fabrics after printing that takes care of bleeding and shrinking. If I remember correctly, they use hot water after it's printed. I am not affiliated with any company.

luvspaper

I don't wash anything smaller than a fat quarter, but rarely buy anything smaller than that either. I've never done a BOM. But otherwise I wash everything.

bearisgray

Now i wash everything washable before cutting it to put into an item.

I have measured hundreds of pieces of fabrics before and after washing them. Shrinkage rates vary from none ( which is very unusual) to over two inches width of fabric or length of fabric per yard. I ha e found that shrinkage is usually a lot more one way or another.

I have had at least one bleeder from every color family.

MissSongbird

I wash depending on the size of the cuts of fabric. If the quilt includes any fat quarters or any cut piece smaller than a half yard then I will not wash any of the fabric. If I'm making a quilt and has fabric bigger than that I will wash everything. I end up washing more than not because I usually get bigger cuts of fabric.

dunster

I wash everything as soon as it comes in the house - EXCEPT kits and pre-cuts and sometimes really large pieces (they get washed as they are cut into manageable sizes). I've never bought a BOM, but would definitely not wash it.

Mitty said it very well. There are lots of reasons for pre-washing, but it's a personal choice. One of the downsides that I've run into recently is that many fabric exchanges require that the fabric not be washed. That means I don't participate, because I don't have unwashed fabric in my stash, and I don't want to receive squares or strips of it from others.

Jordan

I do prewash most of my fabric. If I have little pieces for a BOM, I rinse them in the sink and dry on a rack and iron. I think it really is a personal preference-whatever you are comfortable with.

cat-on-a-mac

I'm a prewasher. For shrinkage and bleeding. I used to think red was the only major culprit, but I had a turquoise batik that bled and bled and bled.

I have been doing quilting for donation quilts for veterans ... so lots of red/white/blue. The piecers usually don't prewash. quite often, when I spritz with water to remove my blue water-soluble markers, I see bleeding from the red.

momsobon

This is sure to get the quilt police out on this question....I do not wash....some wash and some don't I am a don't...I like my fabric crisp....

Daylesewblessed

I laugh whenever I hear this from a shop owner. It is true that they don't bleed like they used to, but many "nowdays" fabrics do indeed bleed. I think shop owners are just trying to give the impression that their expensive fabrics are extremely high quality.