Before sewing your fabric, do you -
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9,299
But do you all prewash before sewing? Or do you simply wash before sewing, if you wash at all?
Do you cut your fabric before sewing or do you pre-cut it before cutting or sewing? LOL
"Pre-" means "before". Do you "before iron before you sew"? Do you "before dry before you sew" or do you just dry it before you sew?
I understand that we THINK of "pre-washing" fabric as "washing before" we sew. But think about the meanings. That's really saying "before washing before" or "washing before before". Get it now?
Do you cut your fabric before sewing or do you pre-cut it before cutting or sewing? LOL
"Pre-" means "before". Do you "before iron before you sew"? Do you "before dry before you sew" or do you just dry it before you sew?
I understand that we THINK of "pre-washing" fabric as "washing before" we sew. But think about the meanings. That's really saying "before washing before" or "washing before before". Get it now?
Last edited by zozee; 08-17-2016 at 08:02 PM.
#22
Power Poster
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
My "prewashing" is overcasting or serging the raw edges of the fabric before i get the fabric wet,
OR
doing something to the fabric to facilitate stain removal or extra heavy dirt removal.
I think we get so used to seeing "pre-" added to words such as "wash" - that the words look "wrong" when used without the "pre-"
OR
doing something to the fabric to facilitate stain removal or extra heavy dirt removal.
I think we get so used to seeing "pre-" added to words such as "wash" - that the words look "wrong" when used without the "pre-"
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 175
I prewash and dry before it comes into my house. Can't stand the smell of some of the fabric since I get from different sources. Even the fabric and LQS. Especially from thrift and estate/garage sales. They get a hot water wash and hot dryer. I don't use dryer sheets but sometimes a white vinegar goes into the rinse cycle. Again mainly because of the odor and not knowing who handled it last.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 335
I usually tear off about 1/2 yard of the fabric...giving me a straight line to work with....I starch the dry fabric and iron it...I then put selvages together and make sure the fold hangs straight. The only time I wash is if the fabric has been sitting folded for a long time or has something on it that I did not notice before (like a stain.) I mostly steam press or starch my fabric. I find starch makes the cutting easier if the fabric is thin or drapey. If it is a thick fabric, I only steam press but I always use small amounts like 1/2 yard to do my cutting...so much easier to manage.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
...and btw, I do not do any of the pre actions...well, I do iron before cutting, and if I suspect a bleeder, I will hot water test a small piece. Don't use starch at all.
Last edited by Geri B; 08-18-2016 at 03:56 AM.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,572
I only buy fabric for each project. My 'stash' consists of those leftovers. When I buy fabric I do pre-wash. Then starch and iron. I have purchased some fabrics for a long term project that have yet to be pre washed. When I have all the fabrics collected and start on that project, then I'll do the wash/dry/iron routine but not before.
#27
PS - I don't starch anything. I am afraid I will pull the fabric and make it larger than it should be. Never have had a problem.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 495
I like the stiffness of the fabric when I buy it. For me it is easier to work with when cutting. I wash all quilts prior to gifting. I do however wash a particularly dark or saturated color with a color catcher especially if a white is used anywhere in the quilt.
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,487
I starch and press it before I cut into it. I will cut an amount what I think I'll need for the project but that's all the cutting I'll do till I have it heavily starched and pressed.................then I cut to my heart's content......:-)
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