That Stuff on Fabric
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 110
That Stuff on Fabric
Disclaimer: I am an unabashed pre-washer. I hope that won’t be held against me.
We know that all fabrics, no matter the quality or place of purchase, is treated with something. How do you know if it will wash out or not? I’ve found that, after washing, 99.5% of the time I end up with soft and fluffy (albeit wrinkly) fabric. It’s that .5% that’s annoying me.
Today I went fabric shopping for my new quilt. I chose a fabric from JoAnn’s. It was in among the other bolts, the same price and the color and design I wanted. I also bought fabric from 7 other bolts, again, all from the same area and same price. Most of them were a deep blue. But one of them is quite stiff after washing and I probably won’t use it because of that. It’s only a yard and I was on the fence about buying it anyway, but what if I loved it and absolutely had to have it??
How does anyone ever know what will wash out and what won’t?
We know that all fabrics, no matter the quality or place of purchase, is treated with something. How do you know if it will wash out or not? I’ve found that, after washing, 99.5% of the time I end up with soft and fluffy (albeit wrinkly) fabric. It’s that .5% that’s annoying me.
Today I went fabric shopping for my new quilt. I chose a fabric from JoAnn’s. It was in among the other bolts, the same price and the color and design I wanted. I also bought fabric from 7 other bolts, again, all from the same area and same price. Most of them were a deep blue. But one of them is quite stiff after washing and I probably won’t use it because of that. It’s only a yard and I was on the fence about buying it anyway, but what if I loved it and absolutely had to have it??
How does anyone ever know what will wash out and what won’t?
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
I also wash (washable) fabrics before cutting. In fact, I soak them in hot water for a couple of hours before they get to the washing machine.
I don't know - for sure - until after I have washed and dried a fabric how it will behave.
It it ends up being a dud - I would much rather know before I put it into an item than after!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know - for sure - until after I have washed and dried a fabric how it will behave.
It it ends up being a dud - I would much rather know before I put it into an item than after!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 110
I also wash (washable) fabrics before cutting. In fact, I soak them in hot water for a couple of hours before they get to the washing machine.
I don't know - for sure - until after I have washed and dried a fabric how it will behave.
It it ends up being a dud - I would much rather know before I put it into an item than after!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know - for sure - until after I have washed and dried a fabric how it will behave.
It it ends up being a dud - I would much rather know before I put it into an item than after!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#4
Admittedly I do not pre-wash all my fabrics but I do some of them. Normally by the feel of the fabric in the store. I compare bolt to bolt. If one feels different, even slightly, I know that it could mean trouble. Even though fabrics are grouped together does not mean they came from the same mill or the same batch. A long time ago I purchased such a fabric and I still run into it from time to time and it is still stiffer than most of the other fabrics in my stash.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,867
I agree that some fabrics aren't as soft after laundering, but in the grand scheme of things, I don't worry about it. If it's cut small, it won't make much difference. The backing on one of my quilts being FMQ is stiff, but seems to softening as it's handled.
#9
Was it the brand "Blank Fabrics" per chance? They tend to be stiffer and more closely woven than other fabrics. More old school in thickness too. I too pre-wash everything, as several years ago I started getting itchy face when I was sewing/cutting and touched it. Heaven only knows what the overseas mfgs use anyway. Not regulated like our companies.
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