Mousie

I find that if I don't put too much in my machine at a time...say small to medium...not medium, but on the small side of medium...I don't get a lot of tangling, so the fabric is not pulled and threads are not stretched and broken on the edges as much.
You can also clip off the corners and it helps a lot.
Sorry it got wet, but good thing you discovered it! I feel for you.
Happy laundering...hugs ;)

pegquilter8

Oh hurry and get it washed. Vinegar a great cure,as well as snipping the corners. Put as many pieces into pillow slips and pin, Will save some of the stringing. I too had a bunch of fabric get wet after an ice storm left me without power for a week in December. As soon as I could I washed and hung outside for added gift of fresh air. Hope all turns out well.

catrancher

I have washed fabric without doing anything to the edges. It does unravel and make a mess, but not so badly that you can't just cut it off and go from there. If you can, you might try a pinking blade in your rotary cutter. I've done that before and it definitely helps with the raveling (or just use pinking shears). But if neither of those options will work, just wash. It'll be fine. Really.

quiltngranny

Don't forget to check your sewing machine. If there is damp in the fabric, there maybe some in your machine. The metal parts could start to rust and then major problems. It is surprising what moisture will do in places we least expect.

Lilrain

Wash it on the gentle cycle

Lucky Lindy

I'd wash it too, but if you have sooooo much, maybe go to a laundry mat, more machines, mean less time passes and more dryers. Just a thought....good luck!

MsSewer

Get a cloth bag or a net type bag, like what we use to launder our unmentionalbes. I use one all the time with a color catcher sheet when I think the fabric may run. The bag helps to stop fraying, I take it out of the bag to dry it. The bag I use came out of a wicker laundry bag. I definately would not use the fabric without washing it.

boopeterson

Been thru the same thing about 5 years ago.. We had 3 1/2 feet of water in our basement from heavy rains and sewage drains backing up along with storm drains too. I had alot of my stuff in totes but some of that even that got ruined. All my sewing patterns had to go and alot of my fabric. I could of saved more of the fabric I suppose but with the sewage in it too I didnt want to. ICK!! As for now... no more sewing in the basement, I bought the little house next door when it came up for sale and have everything over there!

bob1414

Use the gentle cycle and the agitation will be less so it stands to reason that there would be less fraying of the raw edges. I, personally, would never spend the time to finish raw edges of fabric - I have thousands of yards and it would drive me nuts!!! Good luck - I think your stash will be fine. If you have a sunny day, could you spread some out on the grass, on a clothesline, etc?

tjradj

I saw a tip once that if you clip a little piece off the selvedge corner - just a little triangle, that it won't give you the snarls of thread when you wash it.
But wash them and dry them asap. If you have to, go to a laundromat and use their large capacity washers and dryers.