grammypatty7

My avatar was NOT pre-washed and has been washed a at least twice since completion about 9 years ago. I pre-washed once and will NEVER do it again as my fabric frayed away unbelievably. This was many many years ago. It's seems to be very divided. Many of us don't pre-wash but many do. I suspect it's a matter of personal preference. I DON'T like working with prewashed fabric at all. I prefer to have it straight from the shop while it has some body and is easier to work with - again, personal preference. I hand quilt and love the puffy look that happens when I do wash my quilt after completion. Many prefer the flat look so much that they even iron them - again, personal preference.

Since you don't know, you can try washing fabric for a project, work with it and see what you think and decide for yourself. It's completely a personal preference issue. Mine is NOT to prewash. After dragging my quilts around hand quilting, I do wash upon completion before giving to the recipient. This is my quilt that was NOT prewashed and has been washed a few times in the past 9 years. Everyone who sees it say it's beautiful.
Patty

Peggy

I HAVE BEEN QUILTING FOR 25+ YEARS AND HAVE WON RIBBONS AT JUDGED SHOWS (NOT NATIONAL). THE FIRST THING THAT I DO WHEN I BRING NEW FABRIC HOME IS TO SOAK IT IN 120 DEGREE FAHR. WATER. THIS HAS 2 ADVANTAGES. ONE - IT IMMEDIATELY SHRINKS THE FIBERS SO THAT THERE IS NO FURTHER SHRINKING WHEN YOU LAUNDER YOUR QUILT LATER. SECOND - THE EXCESS DYE IS REMOVED. YOU MAY HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR WATER SEVERAL TIMES TO REMOVE ALL THE DYE. MY SISTER PURCHASED AN AMISH QUILT FOR $500 (RED & WHITE). SINCE SHE HAS PET DOGS, SHE SOON HAD TO LAUNDER IT. SINCE THE EXCESS DYE HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED, THE QUILT WAS RUINED.

I DO NOT PLACE MY FABRIC IN MY FABRIC CLOSET UNTIL I HAVE DONE THE ABOVE. THEN I KNOW THAT IT IS READY TO USE.

AFTER THE FABRIC HAS SOAKED, I DRY IT IN THE DRYER, PRESS IT, AND STORE IT.

THIS WAY, YOUR QUILTS WILL NEVER SHRINK OR DYE RUIN YOUR BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE CREATION. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!

I AM NEW TO THIS WEBSITE. LIVE IN DAPHNE, AL AND WOULD LOVE TO MEET OTHER QUILTERS FROM THIS AREA. NO, I DO NOT BELONG TO A GUILD - MY PREFERENCE.

Judi in Ohio

Everyone who sees it say it's beautiful.
Patty[/quote]

It is very beautiful Patty. It sparkles and I love scrappy quilts.
Judi in Ohio

Judi in Ohio

Did it actually change the colors of the other fabrics or did the color catcher just prove that the colors ran?
Did you rewash when you saw that the colors bled?[/quote]

Color catchers catch the dye in the water so it goes no further. Every cc I've used are this simply awful purple/red/brownish looking color. But it doesn't end up on the quilt. I do not rewash, but do use cc for the first few times and I use 5-6 first time - maybe 3 the next. I send these instructions along with my quilts.
Judi

3flowers

I always wash my material before use. Some cottons shrink up to 3% vertically, some do not shrink. I think the wash is a good trade for the distortion. Just my opinion. My quilts get heavy use, so I want to know what the fabrics are going to do ahead of time. And red/dark blue color bleeding--the worst! Once again, just my personal opinion about the limited supply of fabrics we are able to get locally.

tooMuchFabric

If I'm certain that the project I'm making is NEVER (!) going to need washing (wallhanging) then I make it with unwashed fabrics just because I like the crisp look for "modern" decor wallhangings.

If I want the thing to look vintage or "prairie" then I sew first and wash later to achieve the "pucker factor," even if it is going on the wall or stair rail.

If it's something I'm actually going to use (bedquilt, lapquilt, placemats, clothing, toys, picnic) then I prewash for 3 reasons: the contact of the unwashed fabric chemicals on the skin is sometimes irritating to some people; stains sometimes "set" worse in unwashed fabrics; and it just makes the fabric softer and feels so lovely!

I started off my quilting career prewashing every bit of fabric I purchased, serging the raw edges to prevent fraying, but if your stash is anything like mine, that became waaay too much work reeeal fast!

Judi in Ohio

[quote=Peggy]I HAVE BEEN QUILTING FOR 25+ YEARS AND HAVE WON RIBBONS AT JUDGED SHOWS (NOT NATIONAL). THE FIRST THING THAT I DO WHEN I BRING NEW FABRIC HOME IS TO SOAK IT IN 120 DEGREE FAHR. WATER. THIS HAS 2 ADVANTAGES. ONE - IT IMMEDIATELY SHRINKS THE FIBERS SO THAT THERE IS NO FURTHER SHRINKING WHEN YOU LAUNDER YOUR QUILT LATER. SECOND - THE EXCESS DYE IS REMOVED. YOU MAY HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR WATER SEVERAL TIMES TO REMOVE ALL THE DYE. MY SISTER PURCHASED AN AMISH QUILT FOR $500 (RED & WHITE). SINCE SHE HAS PET DOGS, SHE SOON HAD TO LAUNDER IT. SINCE THE EXCESS DYE HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED, THE QUILT WAS RUINED.

AFTER THE FABRIC HAS SOAKED, I DRY IT IN THE DRYER, PRESS IT, AND STORE IT.

THIS WAY, YOUR QUILTS WILL NEVER SHRINK OR DYE RUIN YOUR BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE CREATION. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY!

Peggy,
Welcome first off.
The washed and unwashed question will go on forever. Everyone has their preference. BUT, since the advent of the different color catchers I think things have changed. I, personally do want my fabric to shrink. I love the vintage look that the quilts get when first washed after quilting - that is a must for me.
It's sort of like vanilla/chocolate chocolate/vanilla or Republican/Democrat - lol. There is no best. There is what's right for you and your comfort level. I could not wash first and enjoy quilting - Peggy could never quilt first and then wash. So do what feels right for you.
Judi

bailey

I am so glad I asked the question and thank everyone for their answers. All of your quilts are beautiful. Thank you for posting pictures for me to see. After seeing your results (absolutely beautiful quilts) I am inclined to take a chance and not prewash. However, I did prewash for this one I am starting and then will compare to one that was done without prewashing and decide if I am willing to take the risk. Right now the temptation to be able too buy and start right away is too strong but we will see. I know it is a personal preference but was so nice to hear all your opinions and see all your gorgeous quilts. This is my only outlet to discuss or show off my quilts so thank you all very much.

debbieumphress

I have never pre-washed and have been quilting over 20 years. Just lucky?? I also like the crinkles that make it look older on some. I did several Batiks, as this is my favorite fabric and no runs. Maybe using cold water helps . Now I am a little leary. Might try washing. Do you wash each fabric by itself? I would have to start with new fabrics I get. My stash in three walls in my sewing room with full shelves of fabric. I guess I could pre-wash as I pick fabric for projects. I might try the "balls" that absorb colors too. Great ideas ladies.

debbieumphress

Just an after thought....If we take it to the cleaners to be dry cleaned...will it make a difference? Better to be safe than sorry. I am getting into more difficult quilts and time consumers..would hate to have one ruined. Cost a little more but look at the time and fabric we put into our quilts.