Seeing is Believing - Pre-washing
#51
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,666
Actually, I have some fabrics from over ten years ago that are only 40-42 inches wide. (Robert Kaufman for one - I had "assumed" that the fabric was 45 inches wide - and then had to piece the backing to make it wide enough - )
It is a myth that "most" quilting/calico fabrics are/were 44-45 inches wide. Some are - many are not.
It may be that you are only noticing the narrower widths now -
In fact, some of the so-called "better" brands are usually narrower than the VIP fabrics were.
When buying fabric, it is a good thing to check the fabric width - a couple of inches can matter a lot.
It is a myth that "most" quilting/calico fabrics are/were 44-45 inches wide. Some are - many are not.
It may be that you are only noticing the narrower widths now -
In fact, some of the so-called "better" brands are usually narrower than the VIP fabrics were.
When buying fabric, it is a good thing to check the fabric width - a couple of inches can matter a lot.
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
I don't prewash except for swaps and certain dark fabrics and I will continue to do so. My choice - I tell beginners to wash.
<how do you keep the fabric from fraying and tangling in the washer and, after washing>
Wash on delicate cycle. There is no need to go through an entire wash and beat up your fabric. A lot less strings. Also, Rubesgirl, I love the quilt in your avatar. Is that all it is? H's? What a happy quilt!
<how do you keep the fabric from fraying and tangling in the washer and, after washing>
Wash on delicate cycle. There is no need to go through an entire wash and beat up your fabric. A lot less strings. Also, Rubesgirl, I love the quilt in your avatar. Is that all it is? H's? What a happy quilt!
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Small town in Northeast Oregon close to Washington and Idaho
Posts: 2,795
You know what this makes me think of? How many quilts have I given away without washing them? 30? Anyway, I never thought to ask any of the people if the fabric on the quilts bled. Now I'm worried that I gave people quilts that looked awful after they washed them. OMG!!! No one has said anything, but they probably wouldn't want to hurt my feelings. I never wash my fabric. I think I will wash the bold and dark fabrics for now on. Thanks for the picture. That said enough to me to want to start washing my dark fabrics.
#57
1 i thought it might be a snake. I too had to handwash (72) 21/2 inch wide batiks to make a kit I ordered from Keepsake quilting. This took forever but if I hadn't I don't know how many would have bled. I always, always, wash my fabric and if dark colors, hand wash them to see if they quit fading. Worth the time to me!
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SusanSusan33
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05-07-2014 11:25 AM