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??

sueisallaboutquilts

I don't wash charms, jelly rolls etc. When I am finished with a project I put Shout Color Catchers in the wash with it.
They work great!
If I think something is sure to bleed I will soak it in a basin first.

cjomomma

I don't prewash anything unless it was bought at a thrift shop or yard sale. It's a process that I don't like. But that's just me.

Nancy S.

Yup, same here.

lbaillie

I dont wash anything either, I wait until I'm all done and then wash.

Cindy2

I'll wash all the reds together, even with a color catching sheet, the reds could still bleed enough to affect the other colors.

Baysidegal

I wash everything except charms, jelly rolls and precuts. I learned the hard way that they all shrink. I have tons of washed charms that I now cur down to 4 x 4 square to use so they aren't wasted. I can also still use them for Dresdan Plates. So, although they are not fit for 5 x 5's anymore, they are still quite useful. The jelly rolls are another story.

bluteddi

I've even had embroidery floss ( red of course) bleed!!!!

irishrose

I was a washer before I started using charms, then I became a non washer. Several days ago I watched a 2 1/2 by 8 1/4 inch shrink before my eyes when I pressed it with steam. It was a good fabric, so I think I will go back to washing, though I dislike pressing large pieces of fabric. The thought of pressing six yards for a backing does not appeal to me.

chatonne40

I am reading all of your answers....
Now I am just wondering if it is worthed to buy charms or jelly rolls. If it does shrink or bleed but you find out after your quilt is finished what a disappointment!!

In another hand, many of you don't wash those smaller cuts..my question is if most of the fabric shrink, what's happening with your quilt that you work on for so many hours :-( Unless after it is quilted it does not shrink as it is hold by the quilting step??

SOOO confused.... what should I do what should I do?