Pre-washing fabric
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
The only charms I've washed have been batiks and they didn't need it. I am washing fabrics less now if I am confident of the quality. I do wash WalMart fabric and JoAnn's solid quilting cotton - they just haven't got that one right and it's the same price as Moda at the LQS. I had to buy a piece recently to get the color I wanted. I lost 2" in width. 5% is too much shrinkage. Now I'm going to wash a quilt store one for comparison.
I've always been a fabric washer, so my first pack of charms was an experience. I did soak one in hot water and put in the dryer. It was still 5".
I've always been a fabric washer, so my first pack of charms was an experience. I did soak one in hot water and put in the dryer. It was still 5".
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NW Wa
Posts: 1,549
I just steam the charm packs. But I pre wash all fabric except if it is for chenilling.
It will all come to you a little at a time.
Some will say they never wash. If it is not the same fabric line they will all shrink at a different rate. You spen hours making a quilt and then you wash it and opps. Or you have colord that bkeed after you pieced the quilt...Opps again. I would rather pre wash and know it is colorfast and has shrank and my quilt will not surprise me later. I do also pre shrink my batting if I prefer not to have the crinkled look, but most of the time I like that look. Makes the quilt look like it is old....
It will all come to you a little at a time.
Some will say they never wash. If it is not the same fabric line they will all shrink at a different rate. You spen hours making a quilt and then you wash it and opps. Or you have colord that bkeed after you pieced the quilt...Opps again. I would rather pre wash and know it is colorfast and has shrank and my quilt will not surprise me later. I do also pre shrink my batting if I prefer not to have the crinkled look, but most of the time I like that look. Makes the quilt look like it is old....
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,373
After seeing too many quilts ruined by not pre-washing, I always pre-wash. I've bought a few pre-cut fabric squares, but wash them in a mesh bag and then air dry them flat on a towel or keep them in the bag and dry in the dryer for just a while to take care of shrinking them a bit. I haven't had problems so far, and I like knowing that what I'm putting into the quilt won't change later. I know everyone has their own theories, though. Enjoy your first masterpiece!
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