kathome

I am a dedicated member of the pre-wash group to avoid this. So sorry it happened to you but at least you caught it early.

cpfrog

The only fabrics that I could actually see "shrink" before my very eyes was cheap cotton that you could actually see the warp and weft... AND a blend which I didn't think was a blend until I "smelled" it while ironing it in a finished block; the heat from the iron shrunk it!

I now wash all fabric in warm to hot water (for shrinkage &/or removing dyestuffs) and don't worry later on. A pound of prevention....

quiltmom04

Shrinking is not complaint-worthy. If you've never experienced fabric shrinking, you've ben very lucky- especially if you don't pre-wash before a project, which it sounds like in this project you didn't. I expect 100% cotton fabric will shrink, so if you don't have a chance to prewash before a class, steam and try to shrink a bit before you cut anything.

STICHNRN

i always steam press my fabrics before putting them away. i don't prewash, just steam it really well. it is damp when i am done. never had any problems with shrinking.

bookfare

I always prewash fabric, any coming into my house, as I sometimes find awesome cottons at yard sales. I did learn a lesson recently from fabric purchased at a big-name store--never buy fabric on which the manufacturer is ashamed to print their name. This fabric, sewn into blocks with good quality fabrics, stretched while sewing. It was for a charity lap robe, so not a big deal, but would have been if a gift or cherished quilt pattern.

madamekelly

They sell cotton/poly at the LQS?????? Now I have to go burn test every fabric I have bought at LQS. I had no idea they sold any poly. I thought they just had high quality cotton! Well, I guess I have yet again proved the 'assume' theory! Dang! :oops:

QuiltNama

ALL cotton shrinks! It makes no difference if it's fabric, clothing, curtains, etc. It may not always shrink both ways but it will shrink. Batting with cotton will also shrink. I remember when poly/cotton fabric first came out, we were so happy about no more shrinkage and a lot less ironing. Now we find ourselves going back to the old ways of 100% cotton.
Brenda

JanetLW

What do you with jelly rolls that can't be prewashed? Do you starch and press them or just use as they are?

wtxpeach

Hancock's Cotton Loft is all 100% Cotton except for the broadcloth which is a poly/cotton blend. If an LQS has cotton/poly blend without it being in at least a specified area for such, go somewhere else!

CarrieAnne

I also thought all LQS fabric would be cotton. I do look when I buy at the Fabric stores like JoAnns, Walmart, ect, but never thought to check bolts at the LQS!