MeadowMist

Hi - I want to make a quilt using the squares from 2 layer cakes. I tend to stay away from anything smaller than a fat quarter becaue I can't prewash these for fear I would lose too much fabric and what is left may not be aligned correctly. However, for this quilt I do want to use layer cakes. My pattern requires 8" squares. For those who have used and prewashed layer cakes, do you think after washing there will be enough fabric in the square to make an on grain 8" square? I'm not sure how much these will shrink and I read that they shrink more one way than the other so I'm not sure what I'll be left with or if this is even worth it. I definitely want to prewash in hot water (not swish around in a salad spinner) as I want them shrunk before I start the quilt. Thanks!

dluvs2quilt

If you have enough squares you can wash one of the squares and see what happens. You might want to wash them by hand so you don't have a big tangled up mess in the washer.

lwbuchholz

I always wash my fabric and the pre cuts don't shrink a lot but they do shrink. I put them into a mesh
bag to wash them.

Snooze2978

I don't prewash any of my fabrics, including reds and blues but I do starch them heavily by soaking them in a dishpan of home made starch. Then I wring them out with my makeshift wringer and hang them up to dry. Once dried, I mist them with a mixture of water and vinegar and press. If they're going to bleed, they will bleed in my starch. When I have numerous pieces to starch, I start out with the lightest color and work toward the darkest in case of bleeding. Once I get I bleeder, I change out the starch mixture and continue. All my quilts are gifts so I add a little plastic baggie containing a couple color catchers with instructions how to use them when they go to wash their quilts for the 1st couple times. So far I haven't had any complainers.

Onebyone

I was taught in Home EC class decades ago that cotton fabric only shrinks in one direction, cross grain. Example: A pre cut jelly roll strip may shrink in length but not in width.

joe'smom

You will definitely have enough for 8" squares. The shrinkage is not substantial in a small piece of fabric. I washed some 10" squares recently and was pleased at the minimal amount of fraying, which had been my main concern.

MeadowMist

Oh, I forgot about the tangled mess, lol. Strange as it may sound, I actually find it kind of relaxing to undo those tangles.

MeadowMist

That's good to read. As long as I have enough for 8" things will work out. I'm going to go ahead and order the layer cakes. Thank you.

quiltingcandy

I have put layer cakes into lingerie bags, usually 10 per bag, then put them in the washer with delicate wash. My machine does not have the center agitator. Then I throw them in the dryer still in the bags. I never measured them so can't tell you about shrinkage. Since the edge are pinked I don't think the unraveling is much of a concern, but the tiny little threads were there.

aashley333

I wash delicates in a knotted pillowcase.