pyffer3

I learned the hard way last year when I made quilts for twins with flannel. I washed after they were completed and one shrunk about 3 inches smaller than the other. It was kind of embarrassing but I gave them anyway and just laughed it off by telling the mom that the littlest quilt was for the tiny one. (there was almost a 3 lb difference in birth weight!). It was weird because the fabrics were the same just alternated colored polka dots (dark blue dots on light background on one and light blue dots on dark background on the other). I pre-wash now.

GailG

I was just thinking about the fabrics I purchased from two Walmarts when they were doing away with their fabric dept.
It was of good quality and washed well, but I agree that a lot of fabrics have gone down in the last few years. I don't prewash unless I question the color fastness. Perhaps I should begin dunking all in the wash before using.

mojo11

I always prewash for a lot of reasons, shrinkage being one of them.

Suzanne57

Me, too. I used up a whole set of white serger cones doing so.

DOTTYMO

You can turn them to mug rugs.

QuiltingBear

Waverley at Walmart is very loose weave... not all that good for quilting... occasionally they have decent batiks and some good buys on home dec fabrics but in general, I avoid Walmart fabric department like the plague... not much good ever comes of it. Mardens, however, is fantastic... life in Maine is great for quilting!

1screech

I have never washed the waverly fabrics at Wally World and have never had an issue with quilts, table runners or whatever. I like the krinkly lo of of the quilts after washing. I was at our Walmart and it appeared they were going to quit carrying waverly. The labels on the shelves were gone and different fabrics were on the shelves. The waverly was mixed in with a lot of other. Many fabrics are not quality. I have had good luck with waverly solids and the Emma and FILO or a similar name.

bearisgray

Out of curiosity, I bought a yard of the Waverly cotton fabric at my local Walmart store.

It is a bit coarsely woven, but not see through.

I soaked it in hot water (from the tap) for about half an hour and then washed it in hot water (gentle cycle) and dried it.

Before and after measurements.

Length: before: 37 inches - after 36-1/4 inches
Width: Before; 44-3/4 inches - after - 43 inches

The "after" measurements did not include ironing/pressing after taking the fabric out of the dryer.

This amount of shrinkage compares very favorably with other cottons in my stash.

I did serge the ends before washing.

Lilrain

I am a pre-washer. Had a couple of bad experiences. If something is going to happen, let it happen before I put a lot of work and materials into the project.