Now what do I do?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Somewhere inTexas
Posts: 968
Now what do I do?
I lucked out at an estate sale and purchased a large amount of fabric - mainly to use as backing. Some pieces are 10 yards long...but...had a heavy cigarette odor. They are now washed and folded, but, I don't know my next step. I normally do not prewash my fabric and wonder if I will have to prewash it for the quilt tops. Even the teeny 2 inch squares I have already cut for scrappy quilts? Would it make a big difference if I did not prewash and just heavily starched the backing? Help!
#2
I am confused? If you have already washed the fabric, like you said, that should be enough, don't you think? Are you thinking of washing it again?
I don't prewash, so you probably shouldn't pay any attention to me...though I would prewash if there was a heavy cigarette odor.
Dina
I don't prewash, so you probably shouldn't pay any attention to me...though I would prewash if there was a heavy cigarette odor.
Dina
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Tri-Cities, WA
Posts: 1,063
Get someone with a very sensitive nose to check out the fabrics you washed. You don't want to make a lovely quilt that the recipient won't use because of the odor! I'm like that myself. Also, I sure wouldn't wash those tiny pieces, they could be distorted badly when they are dried. I doubt they would cause much problem over the whole expanse of a quilt.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 818
I agree with Margaret on getting others to check out your fabrics first. Given that it's for a quilt, I would guess that body heat underneath it would amplify any residual scent. If you can't entirely get it out, it still may work for another purpose.
Hugs,
Charlotte
Hugs,
Charlotte
#7
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,563
I guess I don't understand what question is being asked. Are you asking about the odor or shrinkage? And how does the backing come into this? The simple act of starching and pressing fabric will shrink it, if that answers a question....
#9
You can mix unwashed and washed fabric. However if some of the unwashed fabric has a loose weave and shrinks a lot, there may be a bit of distortion in the finished product, depending on the size of the pieces and the density of the quilting. If the unwashed fabric behaves itself, then no problem.
#10
I have mixed pre-washed and non washed fabric in a quilt with no problems. The quilting I think really helps stabilize things together.
I would air your fabrics outside even though you've washed them. There's nothing like fresh air to get out smells. I've had some really musty, smelly fabric that I've gotten from people and that's done the trick every time.
I would air your fabrics outside even though you've washed them. There's nothing like fresh air to get out smells. I've had some really musty, smelly fabric that I've gotten from people and that's done the trick every time.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ButtercreamCakeArtist
Main
17
05-21-2010 04:39 PM
quiltmaker101
Links and Resources
2
11-01-2007 12:35 PM