caution - extreme shrinkage!
05-09-2010, 09:50 AM
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: lexington ky
Posts: 1,418
Originally Posted by Born2Sew
I use sheets as backing almost all the time. So far I've never had any problems doing this.
I would be so upset about all that shrinkage! That is horrible. Frankly, I really haven't been hearing good things lately about JoAnns fabrics..
I would be so upset about all that shrinkage! That is horrible. Frankly, I really haven't been hearing good things lately about JoAnns fabrics..
05-09-2010, 09:55 AM
#42
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: north TX
Posts: 100
Originally Posted by postal packin' mama
In fairness to JoAnn's, the manager did agree that losing 16" in width was really excessive shrinkage, that I could bring it back and they'd write it off as damaged goods. But since I'll never wash it again in hot water, she said it should be safe now after the two hot-water washings and regular dryings in the clothes dryer.
What do you think? Just wash it in cold water [eventually]?
Will washing in cold water also prevent the Warm & Natural batting from shrinking? Dry on low heat to minimize wrinkling?
I love this board -- so much wisdom from so much experience.
Thanks, everyone!
What do you think? Just wash it in cold water [eventually]?
Will washing in cold water also prevent the Warm & Natural batting from shrinking? Dry on low heat to minimize wrinkling?
I love this board -- so much wisdom from so much experience.
Thanks, everyone!
05-09-2010, 10:10 AM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ireland
Posts: 786
I'm another one for the Quilt Police!! They are going to have such a busy week!!!
I use sheets ALL THE TIME!! Sorry but its the only way I can afford to do it!
I do buy 110 inch wide sheeting from a very nice man on the market in Leeds when I am in the UK and that needs prewashing as its sometimes a bit grubby here and there - but at £1 a metre I don't care!!! AND he has it in loads and loads of different colours!
I pre wash new sheets out of packets too - to remove dressing and creases. :)
I use sheets ALL THE TIME!! Sorry but its the only way I can afford to do it!
I do buy 110 inch wide sheeting from a very nice man on the market in Leeds when I am in the UK and that needs prewashing as its sometimes a bit grubby here and there - but at £1 a metre I don't care!!! AND he has it in loads and loads of different colours!
I pre wash new sheets out of packets too - to remove dressing and creases. :)
05-09-2010, 10:21 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 368
Originally Posted by wvdek
I've never heard of fabric shrinking that much. Of course I don't wash in hot water either.
I'd take it back with your receipt showing the amount you bought and show the manager. If you don't get results, ask for the dist. mgr.'s address and write them.
I'd take it back with your receipt showing the amount you bought and show the manager. If you don't get results, ask for the dist. mgr.'s address and write them.
The hot water must be the difference. I never wash anything in hot water.
05-09-2010, 10:23 AM
#45
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Snohomish WA
Posts: 884
I prewashed it in hot water specifically to achieve maximum shrinkage before using it because if someone washed it in hot water after I'm dead & gone and it shrank the 16" then, totally ruining the quilt I spent a million hours working on, I'd still turn over in my grave! Hopefully they'd not use hot water, but you never know, as Betty K [above posting] pointed out!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, FRIENDS!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, FRIENDS!
05-09-2010, 10:29 AM
#46
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Plainfield, IL
Posts: 55
In doing research for a prewashing quilt fabric for my website, I took a visit to the quilt store and checked the ends of bolts.
I was shocked to find that the manufacturers are recommending (on the bolt itself) for most quilt fabric to be washed in COOL water...sometimes lukewarm...lots marked with "Use a Delicate Cycle". There were even a couple of bolts that stated in black and white...DO NOT IRON...don't iron quilt fabric. Obviously some man in an office came up with that one.
So I pretty much always wash in warm. I figure if washing in warm changes the fabric too much, then better to know before I put it in a quilt and someone else washes it.
Julie
I was shocked to find that the manufacturers are recommending (on the bolt itself) for most quilt fabric to be washed in COOL water...sometimes lukewarm...lots marked with "Use a Delicate Cycle". There were even a couple of bolts that stated in black and white...DO NOT IRON...don't iron quilt fabric. Obviously some man in an office came up with that one.
So I pretty much always wash in warm. I figure if washing in warm changes the fabric too much, then better to know before I put it in a quilt and someone else washes it.
Julie
05-09-2010, 10:35 AM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Galveston Texas
Posts: 1,596
Originally Posted by Born2Sew
I use sheets as backing almost all the time. So far I've never had any problems doing this.
I would be so upset about all that shrinkage! That is horrible. Frankly, I really haven't been hearing good things lately about JoAnns fabrics..
I would be so upset about all that shrinkage! That is horrible. Frankly, I really haven't been hearing good things lately about JoAnns fabrics..
05-09-2010, 12:44 PM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 752
Wow I think you migjt have saved me from making a mistake too! I'm not ready for backing yet, but I would have been headed there! I really don't have a choice since its the only option here.....guess I might order on line or go to a sheet (which I've never tried).
05-09-2010, 01:11 PM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Romsey, Hants, UK
Posts: 754
I really appreciate the warning, I've bought some reasonably priced cotton today for a cot quilt, and i am going to wash it tomorrow just in case. I think I might zig-zag round the pieced top and put that in too, then if it shrinks it is shrunk before giving it away. Very interesting thread thanks.
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