washing fabric

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08-23-2010, 03:43 PM

#11

Annaquilts

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Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: SoCal

Posts: 11,940

I did not realize that you should not prewash if you like the wrinkled look. I do like that look. So the first couple of yrs when I quilted I faithfully washed and shrunk everything but now I faitfully do not unless I purposely don't want that look. I might also be more prone to wash cheap fabric and muslin because they might shrink an abnormal undesired amount.

08-23-2010, 04:04 PM

#12

natalieg

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Montana

Posts: 1,073

I love the antiqued wrinkled look for my scrappies! But, an allergy to the formaldehyde in the fabrics has forced me to go through all my stash and prewash it!
After 647 yards, I now will be one of those that recommends it to everyone!

08-23-2010, 05:57 PM

#13

littlehud

Power Poster

Join Date: Nov 2007

Location: SW Iowa

Posts: 32,855

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melinda in Tulsa

I'm too lazy to wash my fabric! It's all I can do to keep up on the laundry.

I'm with you Melinda. I only wash for a swap or RR

08-23-2010, 06:23 PM

#14

theoldgraymare

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Beaumont, Texas

Posts: 734

I test dark colors to see if they are colorfast. If they are not, I will prewash all fabric for that quilt. Otherwise, I do not prewash. Too much like doing laundry -- not my favorite thing!

08-23-2010, 07:15 PM

#15

Mariposa

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Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Eastern Washington

Posts: 29,524

I wash my fabrics first because they smell. Gets rid of excess chemical odors!

08-23-2010, 07:33 PM

#16

Scissor Queen

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2009

Location: Southwest Kansas

Posts: 4,820

I've mixed washed and unwashed in the same quilt. I couldn't tell them apart after the quilt was washed.

08-23-2010, 07:41 PM

#17

CarrieAnne

Power Poster

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Whitewater, WI

Posts: 24,528

I always wash mine too!

08-23-2010, 08:07 PM

#18

watson's mom

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: Lakeshore, Ont. Canada

Posts: 2,731

I always wash mine to remove the chemicals in them. Don't want to give someone (baby?) a quilt with toxins in it or insect eggs or whatever. Fabrics coming from some countries come here in huge containers and are sprayed for insects when the container is opened. That's why I wash. If I want it to look puckered I will just have to be satisfied with the batting doing the shrinking for me.

08-23-2010, 08:16 PM

#19

Jim's Gem

Moderator

Join Date: Jun 2008

Location: Camarillo, California

Posts: 35,242

I don't pre-wash my fabrics with the exception of flannels. Always, Always pre-wash flannel fabrics.

08-24-2010, 09:55 AM

#20

cindyg

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2010

Location: Cypress (NW Houston), TX

Posts: 581

Always always always wash fabric and then use lots of Mary Ellen's Best Press to press. I had colors bleed onto white fabric one time - made me sick after all that work. So unless the pattern tells me to use unwashed fabric, it gets washed. Also there is formaldahyde, bug chemicals, and dye chemicals that I just don't want to be handling. It is a little more trouble but I think it's worth it.