carol45

I like to preshrink batting, and I had a problem doing it in my dryer. So what I did recently is soak Hobbs 80/20 in hot water in the bathtub. I tried very hard not to stretch it at all when i dried it. However, it measured 125" x 126" before I soaked it, and it measures 136" x 136" now. How is that possible?

QuiltE

Then I guess you stretched it!

carol45

Actually I've had it happen before as well, but I really don't believe I stretched it--yes, yes, I know it's bigger. What I'm worried about is that it will shrink when it's in a quilt. What do you think? What can I do more besides soaking it in hot water?

Lori S

When using the bathtub method... use a plastic laundry basket to remove it. I use my washer .. and soak overnight.. then spin.. then gently remove and place in the dryer. Most of the shrinkage takes place in the dryer.
You could try re- shrinking to get the batting back to its "final" state. I would be cautious that any stretching you did will revert the first washing/drying.

valleyquiltermo

You know I never pre-shrink my batting in any way shape or form. Never have any trouble with it.

QuiltE

Did you measure the 125x126? or was that the size on the package?
Perhaps it came larger that the package said?

Perhaps call the Hobbs 1-800# to tell them your concerns and ask your questions.

Tartan

I like the little bit of shrinkage I get when a quilt is washed. I also like to use Hobbs 80/20 fusible batt for machine quilting. It is water soluable so if I washed it, no fusible which defeats the point in using it. I don't know why your batt has grown unless the hot water relaxed the fibers? I think you need to do a few experiments to see if it will shrink again. Cut a couple of 8 inch quilt sandwiches and quilt them with the same pattern. Wash one that you didn't pre-shrink/stretch the batt and one that the batt stretched in it. Re-measure them both to see if they are still 8 inches after washing and drying and go with what look you like best. Good luck!

yngldy

I heard that the shrinkage in fabric happens in the last 10 minutes-ish of drying. Since batting is a fiber also, would spraying the batting with water til wet (but not as much as actually soaking in water) and putting it in a hot dryer do about the same as actually washing it? I also like the pucker so I haven't tried the method, but it seems if it weren't so wet, it would not stretch so much when handled.

babyboomerquilter

I have never prewashed my batting before. It sounds risky, but it looks like the gals have and it sounds like it works.

carol45

The starting dimensions, I measured, so it did somehow stretch. I'm taking yngldy's advice and spritzing it with water and putting it in the dryer. If that doesn't work, before I try the other suggestions, which were really good, I will call Hobbs and see what they suggest.
I'm making a quilt that I don't want to look antique--it's kind of modern, so I want the batting preshrunk.