Prewash or Not Prewash
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2017
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I have a large number of fabrics left from a clergy stole I made for our pastor. I want to make a quilt using these leftovers. I did not prewash the fabrics before making
the stole. Should I wash the pieces before I cut them to use for the quilt I want to make or is too late? I usually prewash all my fabrics when I make a quilt so I want to make sure I do the right thing.
the stole. Should I wash the pieces before I cut them to use for the quilt I want to make or is too late? I usually prewash all my fabrics when I make a quilt so I want to make sure I do the right thing.
#2
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,278
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If you wash the smaller pieces then you will need to press them. Pressing and washing will probably shrink them a little. So if they don't have to be certain size (example: precuts ) then pre wash. Or wash after the quilt is made.
#4
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#5
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,141
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I am a fan of prewashing for many reasos and that includes scraps. Basically, if it is a fat quarter or larger, I treat it as fabric yardage and just wash with like colors and my normal wash. I do watch to get them out of the dryer just before dry and press hot to a crisp finish.
I do cut off any long stringy ends or ragged bits both before washing and then as I take things out and before I put them in the dryer, I cut off any tangles and give the fabric a nice Snap! (you'll know it when you hear it) and toss it in the dryer.
Small bits I wash in lingerie bags or inside pillow cases that I tie shut (I use hair elastic actually).
The worst things to wash in my opinion are long skinny pieces. It is hard to make me wash/use precut jelly roll strips for example. If I felt I couldn't use them without a prewash, it would probably be more of a gentle sink/hand treatment. And I'd probably just not bother and cut something similar from my already pre-washed stash.
I do cut off any long stringy ends or ragged bits both before washing and then as I take things out and before I put them in the dryer, I cut off any tangles and give the fabric a nice Snap! (you'll know it when you hear it) and toss it in the dryer.
Small bits I wash in lingerie bags or inside pillow cases that I tie shut (I use hair elastic actually).
The worst things to wash in my opinion are long skinny pieces. It is hard to make me wash/use precut jelly roll strips for example. If I felt I couldn't use them without a prewash, it would probably be more of a gentle sink/hand treatment. And I'd probably just not bother and cut something similar from my already pre-washed stash.
#6
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,664
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Leah Day did one of her great quilting debate videos on this topic.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Eenoe-9mSko
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Eenoe-9mSko
#9
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,581
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I (soak in hot water and then) wash everything that is washable before cutting it.
I only started the soaking in hot water before washing a few years ago. I learned that a quick "swish" in water did not remove much excess dye. Learned that when pressing some dark blue and dark red - washed - fabric that I had sprayed sizing on. I was not happy with the bleeds on to the pale gray fabric that I was using. They were Jinny Beyer fabrics by RJR.
If a large piece of fabric has something in/on it that I want removed or modified, then a small piece of matching fabric would have the same characteristics.
I only started the soaking in hot water before washing a few years ago. I learned that a quick "swish" in water did not remove much excess dye. Learned that when pressing some dark blue and dark red - washed - fabric that I had sprayed sizing on. I was not happy with the bleeds on to the pale gray fabric that I was using. They were Jinny Beyer fabrics by RJR.
If a large piece of fabric has something in/on it that I want removed or modified, then a small piece of matching fabric would have the same characteristics.