Lesson I learned today
09-19-2011, 07:36 AM
#31
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Atoka, Tn
Posts: 191
I would be sooo afraid to use fabric that has not been prewashed. I always use Retayne and don't have a worry; you can always even up with frayed edges with one small cut with your rotary. To me, it's just scary not to prewash. I haven't gotten into the starching yet.
09-19-2011, 07:40 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,471
Originally Posted by bj riley
More info please.
As a new quilter, my question is why do we startch? None of my "teachers" have mentionrd it? and if the fabric has not been washed isn't it stiff already?
As a new quilter, my question is why do we startch? None of my "teachers" have mentionrd it? and if the fabric has not been washed isn't it stiff already?
09-19-2011, 07:43 AM
#33
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NW Illinois
Posts: 25
After using the Retayne I still use the Color Grabber sheets. They still can bleed. Little extra care and you will enjoy your quilt.
Originally Posted by betty jo
I would be sooo afraid to use fabric that has not been prewashed. I always use Retayne and don't have a worry; you can always even up with frayed edges with one small cut with your rotary. To me, it's just scary not to prewash. I haven't gotten into the starching yet.
09-19-2011, 08:27 AM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,625
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
Originally Posted by LLWinston44
No, I'm not a pre-washer. When I took my first class at my LQS they advised us NOT to, and so I have gotten in the habit of not, and up until now it's never been a problem.
I did once, before that first class, wash all my fabric (in preparation FOR the class)and it was a disaster!!! It all frayed HORRIBLY and also I had SO much waste when squaring it up to get ready to cut! So since then, since I've had good results from not pre-washing, I've stuck with that.
I did just go and spray a piece of the fabric with water and it did shrink. I'll just have to start making sure I starch before I cut.
Oh, and it's most definitely 100% cotton. The shrinking actually happened right in front of my eyes AS I sprayed it, but from what I read above, the heat must have shrunk it more. ugh.
I did once, before that first class, wash all my fabric (in preparation FOR the class)and it was a disaster!!! It all frayed HORRIBLY and also I had SO much waste when squaring it up to get ready to cut! So since then, since I've had good results from not pre-washing, I've stuck with that.
I did just go and spray a piece of the fabric with water and it did shrink. I'll just have to start making sure I starch before I cut.
Oh, and it's most definitely 100% cotton. The shrinking actually happened right in front of my eyes AS I sprayed it, but from what I read above, the heat must have shrunk it more. ugh.
Do starch and iron before cutting though.
In the most recent class I took the instructor said if you're not going to pre-wash then iron and starch before cutting and after that only use a dry iron.
09-19-2011, 08:31 AM
#35
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: N California
Posts: 849
Love all the advice, really..... I think everyone has valuable information and even if it's something I'm not accustomed to, I'm never against learning.
As for the pre-washing...... does this fall true of things like batiks too?? That they should be pre-washed? I'm just soooooooo scared to pre-wash! It just ruined my fabric so badly!! ugh.... maybe I'll buy some for a simple little project and try it. lol
As for the pre-washing...... does this fall true of things like batiks too?? That they should be pre-washed? I'm just soooooooo scared to pre-wash! It just ruined my fabric so badly!! ugh.... maybe I'll buy some for a simple little project and try it. lol
09-19-2011, 09:03 AM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Jackson, Georgia
Posts: 611
I don't prewash. I use a color grabber in the wash after the quilt is done. I have used starch on seams to make them crisp, but just started doing that. I never thought of pinking the edges of the fabric, will have to get a cutter with the pinking blade and then try some prewashing. It's the ironing and starching after washing that gets me. Need all my strength for the actual cutting and sewing. Learned some new things here today. Thanks.
09-19-2011, 09:23 AM
#39
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NW Illinois
Posts: 25
No they are prewashed, but I rinsed them out by hand and let them dry enough to iron them. I laid them on a towel to air dry.
Originally Posted by LLWinston44
Another thought...... what a about charm packs and jelly rolls...... those fabrics haven't been pre-washed have they?
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