seazteddy

To starch or not to starch? Wash or not to wash fabric?

QuiltnNan

I definitely wash - removes all the chemicals from the mfg. process, shrinks anything that will, and shows if the fabric is a bleeder. I rarely starch... if I do, I do it when I'm ready to use the fabric. Starch can attract bugs.

NJ Quilter

A pre-washer and starcher here as well. In addition to removing the sizing; checking for bleeding; etc. with pre-washing it also gives me the opportunity to iron and refold the fabric more closely on grain vs how it may be on the bolt.

I use liquid starch mixed at a 50/50 ratio w/water. I prefer the sta-flo brand. Mix up small amounts at a time as I need them. Starch is particularly helpful when dealing with bias edges.

pocoellie

I'm not a pre-washer, I starch as NJ Quilter. I've never had a problem with starched fabrics attracting silverfish, so I think if you have a problem with them, you'll still have them starching or not. I also use homemade "best press".

SusieQOH

I only pre-wash reds.
Sometimes I starch. It depends on the pattern.

bearisgray

I soak and wash all (washable) fabrics and battings before cutting them.

I want to know how the fabric will behave after it has been through the wash.

By the way, I have had at least one bleeder of every color

Also, after measuring hundreds of pieces of fabric before and after washing, (yes I really have! ), I have found that the different pieces do not shrink at the same rate or in the same direction.

maryb119

I prewash everything except precuts. It puts the fabrics on the straight of grain, removes chemicals, tells me if a dye is going to run and shrinks the fabrics if they are going to shrink. I don't want any surprises after my quilt is finished. I never starch unless I an doing heirloom embroidery. I wash that after I am done. I do not store anything with starch in it.

patricej

pre-wash most of the time.

always starch.
lots of starch.
makes it easier to cut, line up, and stitch.

luvstoquilt

I don’t always pre wash but I use Magic Sizing. I spray it way and then hand it to dry..really cuts down on the messy fraying edges.

Tartan

Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t .