Prewash fabric pieces?
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 653
I have changed my mind about washing precuts. I have always washed yardage for these reasons:
Before using precuts, I am now soaking and using the salad spinner trick. I am happier and I like the results.
- I don't like surprises - strange shrinkage, bleeding.
- I want to minimize the chemicals in my life.
- I want clean fabric and don't want the dirt, germs, and dust that accumulates on fabric.
- If I put the effort into making a quilt, I don't want my quilt to change dramatically after the first wash.
Before using precuts, I am now soaking and using the salad spinner trick. I am happier and I like the results.
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Posts: 9,475
I usually prewash large pieces of fabrics but one time I washed a bunch of 10" squares and they all had some shrinkage to them. They were about 1/4" smaller than my other 10" squares. Just speaking from experience.
#13
I am actually more worried about colour bleed or colour transfer. I rinse my fabrics in hot-as-my-hands-will-stand water. If a fabric bleeds colour, it gets more treatment. BTW that also takes care of shrinkage. Small stuff is laid out to dry or ironed dry. Big stuff is thrown in the dryer.
I think of 'precuts' like 'prefab' meals from the grocery store. Okay but not as good as home made. You bought a shortcut but you did not get the quality of product that you expected.
I think of 'precuts' like 'prefab' meals from the grocery store. Okay but not as good as home made. You bought a shortcut but you did not get the quality of product that you expected.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,782
I am actually more worried about colour bleed or colour transfer. I rinse my fabrics in hot-as-my-hands-will-stand water. If a fabric bleeds colour, it gets more treatment. BTW that also takes care of shrinkage. Small stuff is laid out to dry or ironed dry. Big stuff is thrown in the dryer.
I think of 'precuts' like 'prefab' meals from the grocery store. Okay but not as good as home made. You bought a shortcut but you did not get the quality of product that you expected.
I think of 'precuts' like 'prefab' meals from the grocery store. Okay but not as good as home made. You bought a shortcut but you did not get the quality of product that you expected.
I rarely buy precuts so it's not that much of an issue with me. I prefer to make my own strips and squares. No pinked edges to deal with and no off grain cuts. Just works better for me.