Washing fabric
#53
Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
Originally Posted by donnakay
Hi All,
I just now today stumbled on this site through a Dear Jane group. As I was trolling around the pictures and comments I thought, 'I'll just bookmark this so I can look around and see if I want to join at a later date.
Then I came across the pre-wash question which lit up my buttons!
I am an avid washer after spending numerous hours on something and having it run. I also have noticed some fabrics shrink at different proportions so you may have one fabric shrinking greatly while it's neighbor that you have pieced to doesn't shrink at all. It makes me manic!
All fabric goes to the laundry room after purchase. If it gets to my sewing area that means it's pre-washed.
Pre-washing is just a term. If you are using a washing machine the agitation will really be harsh and you will get lots of raveling fabric. To avoid agitation I do this. I have a huge white bucket in my laundry room sink. I turn on the hot water and fill the bucket with the hottest water and put the fabric in. Lights with lights, reds separate, darks together ... you get the picture. After about 20 minutes I go back to see if there are any bleeders. If not I then pull the fabrics out and squeeze to get much of the hot water out. Fill up trusty bucket with very cold water and plunge in to the cold water and let sit about 20 min. Remove fabric, squeeze much of the water out, dry in a hot drier, remove and fold and bring to sewing area.
Not only are you pre-shrinking and removing all that chemical fabric sizing you are also identifying bleeders. You are leveling the playing field by shrinking so that all the fabric in finished quilts now behave the same if they get laundered.
Bleeders identified in the hot soak---> Remove the offending fabric, squeeze excess water, dry in a hot drier. Treat this dry fabric with a product called retayne. Follow product directions. I usually go a step further by adding a small teakettle of boiling water to my super hot tap water to the bucket with the retayne water.
As I said, I'm pretty manic about the pre-wash topic. Looking forward to participating in this group. Hope I haven't pushed anyone's buttons in a bad way by my strong response. And it is my first post!
I just now today stumbled on this site through a Dear Jane group. As I was trolling around the pictures and comments I thought, 'I'll just bookmark this so I can look around and see if I want to join at a later date.
Then I came across the pre-wash question which lit up my buttons!
I am an avid washer after spending numerous hours on something and having it run. I also have noticed some fabrics shrink at different proportions so you may have one fabric shrinking greatly while it's neighbor that you have pieced to doesn't shrink at all. It makes me manic!
All fabric goes to the laundry room after purchase. If it gets to my sewing area that means it's pre-washed.
Pre-washing is just a term. If you are using a washing machine the agitation will really be harsh and you will get lots of raveling fabric. To avoid agitation I do this. I have a huge white bucket in my laundry room sink. I turn on the hot water and fill the bucket with the hottest water and put the fabric in. Lights with lights, reds separate, darks together ... you get the picture. After about 20 minutes I go back to see if there are any bleeders. If not I then pull the fabrics out and squeeze to get much of the hot water out. Fill up trusty bucket with very cold water and plunge in to the cold water and let sit about 20 min. Remove fabric, squeeze much of the water out, dry in a hot drier, remove and fold and bring to sewing area.
Not only are you pre-shrinking and removing all that chemical fabric sizing you are also identifying bleeders. You are leveling the playing field by shrinking so that all the fabric in finished quilts now behave the same if they get laundered.
Bleeders identified in the hot soak---> Remove the offending fabric, squeeze excess water, dry in a hot drier. Treat this dry fabric with a product called retayne. Follow product directions. I usually go a step further by adding a small teakettle of boiling water to my super hot tap water to the bucket with the retayne water.
As I said, I'm pretty manic about the pre-wash topic. Looking forward to participating in this group. Hope I haven't pushed anyone's buttons in a bad way by my strong response. And it is my first post!
#54
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Absecon N.J.
Posts: 249
I washed my 20 fat quarters ..what a mess, I even pit them into a mess bag in the washer...strings of thread all tangled up. When I measured them some had shrunk at least an inch all around...would never wash any more...lesson learned!!!!
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,669
Originally Posted by chatonne40
Hello , I was wondering if you wash your fat quarters, jelly rolls and charm packs. I understand we have to wash the fabric to let it shrink, see if it bleeds etc...
When you get small pieces and if you do not wash those, what happend if it does shrink?
I had 3 fat quarters packs that I sew all around so it does not fray in the washing machine or dryer but then I thought it would take forever for just one charm pack and if it shrink what,s left of my pieces??
When you get small pieces and if you do not wash those, what happend if it does shrink?
I had 3 fat quarters packs that I sew all around so it does not fray in the washing machine or dryer but then I thought it would take forever for just one charm pack and if it shrink what,s left of my pieces??
#58
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Yuma, AZ
Posts: 63
I feel silly, but I have not been able to find any of the color catchers,or Retayne . I must be looking in the wrong store or on the wrong shelves. if you ask a store clerk about anything like that, they have no idea what you are talking about. Also, cannot find liquid starch, only spray on starch.
Any suggestions as to where you find these things??
Any suggestions as to where you find these things??
#59
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 9
I am confused! When I buy my material at Jo Anne's or my favorite quilt stores I ask them if I should prewash and all have told me not to worry about that. Now everyone on the board but a few say they do. I know when I first started sewing I did, but when paying $10. a yard I don't think I should have to.
#60
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 9
I am confused! When I buy my material at Jo Anne's or my favorite quilt stores I ask them if I should prewash and all have told me not to worry about that. Now everyone on the board but a few say they do. I know when I first started sewing I did, but when paying $10. a yard I don't think I should have to.
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