Pre-washing fabric question
09-08-2010, 08:23 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Vancouver WA
Posts: 556
The reason you wash the fabric in the first place is to remove the "finish" put on by the manufacturer and to pre-shrink the material before use.
If you use fabric softener you are adding back a "finish" which can make the material hard to applique, adhere to stabilizers, etc. You want your fabric to be free of additives/finishes and to be the finished size when you cut it and quilt it.
If you use fabric softener you are adding back a "finish" which can make the material hard to applique, adhere to stabilizers, etc. You want your fabric to be free of additives/finishes and to be the finished size when you cut it and quilt it.
09-08-2010, 08:25 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,474
i dont because i want as many chemicals as i can get out of the material , but when i iron it i go crazy with the starch
dont over dry it so much that you get a lot of static in the material sometimes i take it out of the dryer when it is just a bit short of being all the way dry and iron
dont over dry it so much that you get a lot of static in the material sometimes i take it out of the dryer when it is just a bit short of being all the way dry and iron
09-08-2010, 08:27 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: South Texas
Posts: 639
Originally Posted by Mariposa
For a great alternative to fabric softener, use this:
a small amount of vinegar in the rinse water. Just regular white vinegar. No joke! Your fabrics/laundry do not smell! And the vinegar helps with static too.
I use a Downy ball, and put my vinegar in that. Have done it that way for a long time! :)
a small amount of vinegar in the rinse water. Just regular white vinegar. No joke! Your fabrics/laundry do not smell! And the vinegar helps with static too.
I use a Downy ball, and put my vinegar in that. Have done it that way for a long time! :)
09-08-2010, 08:31 AM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: South Texas
Posts: 639
Originally Posted by MaxineB
Originally Posted by watterstide
i don't prewash cotton fabric..never had a problem. i only prewash flannel because it shrinks more than cotton.
i had wash/soak and air dry on a towel,batiks..because i have had the colors run.
i wash after the quilt is all done, before it leaves the house..
i had wash/soak and air dry on a towel,batiks..because i have had the colors run.
i wash after the quilt is all done, before it leaves the house..
09-08-2010, 08:46 AM
#35
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,581
For those that prefer not to pre-wash, here are some of the things that MIGHT happen when they ARE washed.
The fabrics might bleed (the dyes in the fabrics)
The fabrics might shrink
The fabrics might shrink unevenly
The fabrics may become very limp and/or wrinkled when the sizing is removed
In my experience, these things can happen with LQS fabrics as well as fabrics from chain stores.
But hey, if you-all enjoy gambling - don't let me spoil the excitement and anticipation of the washing results.
The fabrics might bleed (the dyes in the fabrics)
The fabrics might shrink
The fabrics might shrink unevenly
The fabrics may become very limp and/or wrinkled when the sizing is removed
In my experience, these things can happen with LQS fabrics as well as fabrics from chain stores.
But hey, if you-all enjoy gambling - don't let me spoil the excitement and anticipation of the washing results.
09-08-2010, 09:13 AM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
Originally Posted by bearisgray
For those that prefer not to pre-wash, here are some of the things that MIGHT happen when they ARE washed.
The fabrics might bleed (the dyes in the fabrics)
The fabrics might shrink
The fabrics might shrink unevenly
The fabrics may become very limp and/or wrinkled when the sizing is removed
In my experience, these things can happen with LQS fabrics as well as fabrics from chain stores.
But hey, if you-all enjoy gambling - don't let me spoil the excitement and anticipation of the washing results.
The fabrics might bleed (the dyes in the fabrics)
The fabrics might shrink
The fabrics might shrink unevenly
The fabrics may become very limp and/or wrinkled when the sizing is removed
In my experience, these things can happen with LQS fabrics as well as fabrics from chain stores.
But hey, if you-all enjoy gambling - don't let me spoil the excitement and anticipation of the washing results.
If the dye isn't set in the original fabric it isn't likely to set in any fabric that picks it up, it'll wash out eventually.
Cotton fabric is guaranteed to wrinkle and need ironing after washing.
I've even used washed and unwashed fabrics in the same quilt. Couldn't tell the difference after the quilt was washed.
09-08-2010, 10:02 AM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: East Arkansas
Posts: 2,534
well, i've always had trouble with fusible web working for me - UNTIL this week when i actually WASHED my fabric like the directions said - PERFECT - bonded very well. DUH! surprising what following directions will do.
09-08-2010, 11:59 AM
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ogdensburg, NY
Posts: 448
Thanks everyone. Interesting answers here. I guess it's a matter of personal choice for everyone.
The reason I asked is because the fabric came from a house that hasn't been aired out in months and the fabrics had been stored for a long time, they smell musty.
I've only washed a few of the pieces. Think the rest will be washed without the softener.
The reason I asked is because the fabric came from a house that hasn't been aired out in months and the fabrics had been stored for a long time, they smell musty.
I've only washed a few of the pieces. Think the rest will be washed without the softener.
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