Scuddles

I was wondering if a bunch of people would tell me if they pre wash the fabric before they use it. Some say they do and some say they don't. What is the real way to do it.
Also, some tell me they steam iron and some say they don't
I know you don't pre wash any of the pre cuts.
Please help me out.
Thank you,
Scuddles AKA Lori

QuiltingCrazie

It's personal preference. There's no right or wrong. I personally don't prewash, I have 5 children...I have enough laundry. I do wash all my finished quilts with color catchers...I haven't had a problem. If I think a color might run I use two. I don't steam because the water here spits plus you don't burn your fingers as much. Just do what works for you!!

Scissor Queen

I don't prewash. Lots of people do. I don't use a steam iron. I have a dry iron and if I need a little steam I use a spray bottle. I use Best Press before I cut.

Do what works for you and don't worry about what somebody else does. There truly is no one way to make a quilt. I have seen the same block done several different ways. None of them are the one "right" way to make the block, they're just different ways.

bearisgray

Welcome to the board.

I am in the wash before cutting group. I avoid precuts because I think if other fabrics should be washed / shrunk before sewing them, so should precuts.

I usually use steam when pressing . I don' t usually use sizing or starch.

Eventually, you will do what is "right" for you.

There are about a gazillion other threads on the topic. So far, it's still some do, some don' t.

GrannieAnnie

I wash pre-cuts sometimes

DOTTYMO

Whether you pre wash or not do these etching to all fabrics being used in the project.
Using water in the iron I was told stretched the fabric. With ironing make sure you press and not iron. Ironing again stretches the fabric.
With quilting and the more you do the more you will find there are at least 2 ways to do everything. My friend does not agree with MSQC and Jenny's way of making 4 half square triangles . I like this way but I do a light spray of startch before sewing and cutting to hold the fabric still and stop stretching.
Any small increase in size on every piece alters the size considerable at the end.


One rule to keep......always always put the blade back into its holder immediately after cutting.

bearisgray

One of the few things most of us agree on.

Knitette

When I first started quilting a few years ago, I nearly drove myself insane with trying to get things 'right'. I had no sewing experience and couldn't thread a machine. I'd look around at the other quilts and know I'd never be as 'good'.

Three years later, my confidence has grown to the extent that I don't worry about what other people do (that's not to say I don't ask for and follow advice, lol). A lot of this confidence has grown from reading this board, seeing what other people do and figuring out what works for me.

You won't get a definitive answer to your question. Some will tell horror stories of the perils of not pre-washing whilst others, like me, never do. There are several camps , viz.;

Pre-Washers (wash all)
Non-Washers (wash none)
Partial Washers (wash some)
Post Washers (wash after quilting)
Starchers (wash and then starch)

In ironing;

Streamers (iron with steam)
Partial Steamers (use steam occasionally)
Dry Ironers (never use steam)
Sprayers (dry iron but use a spray)
Clappers (use steam but set with clapper board)

So, to sum up - do what works for you. Happy quilting!

Txkolibri

I certainly prewash. Who knows what kind of germs, etc are in the fabric from the factory and/or store. Also I give it a hard test witih hot water and a color catcher. Never know how some unknowing recipent is going to treat it. If it won't stand my "test", then I don't waste my time using it.

ckcowl

its up to you--you will always get different opinions on this one- some people pre-wash everything (even pre-cuts) some people pre-wash nothing- some people pick & choose- do what you feel is right at the moment- some things to consider...if a fabric is deeply saturated color (deep reds, turquoise, blues, purples) and you are worried about the colors bleeding pre=wash or at least do a color test to make sure before using. if you are concerned about shrinkage---pre=wash; if the fabric feels funky- or smells...pre=wash. if it's flannel and not for a raggy quilt, pre-wash. many people always wash their finished quilts- but that too is a personal choice. as for the steam/no steam...there is a time & place for steam, with starch, with sizing spray....you will learn as you go along when each is good. if you have a fabric that needs a little more than a dry iron is providing...try some steam....if you want to make cutting easier, more accurate- starch your fabric before cutting...put together a few practice blocks---or just cut a few squares of fabric & try each out- dry iron one, then steam one, then starch one....compare- see what you like. there is no right or wrong- there are no fast/hard rules- each quilter does it their own way- that works for them- try everything- then make your own decisions.