washing fabric
#21
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 17,068
I don't usually wash it first. If I do I use a bit of detergent and wash and dry the way I would the finished quilt. I don't use fabric softener on fabric before I use it. Go ahead and ask any questions you want! That's what we're here for :)
#22
I never wash my fabrics but if I have a very dark one that I suspect might bleed, I will take a corner of that fabric and stick it in a bowl of very hot tap water and so far, even with very dark blues they are all fine.
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: High Entropy Zone
Posts: 1,247
Originally Posted by bearisgray
You will still have to end up deciding for yourself whether or not to prewash your fabrics before cutting.
You won't even get a "majority vote" on this one.
I think everything that is prewashable that goes into an item should be washed before it is cut. (I've measured "before and after" - and I think it's worth the effort.)
There are others that say they see absolutely no reason to bother.
(Of course, there are also people that saw no reason to use a seat belt or use birth control -MOST of the time they were fine - -- )
You won't even get a "majority vote" on this one.
I think everything that is prewashable that goes into an item should be washed before it is cut. (I've measured "before and after" - and I think it's worth the effort.)
There are others that say they see absolutely no reason to bother.
(Of course, there are also people that saw no reason to use a seat belt or use birth control -MOST of the time they were fine - -- )
I pink the edges before washing (I'm pretty sure Bearisgray serges hers) to control fraying. Clipping the corners just doesn't work for me.
#24
If I am going to prewash, I wash the fabric just like I would after it is in the quilt. Soap, warm water and into the dryer it goes.
I do not like to use fabric softener, I do a lot of fusible applique, and sometimes the fusible doesn't stick as well to the fabric. I also like the fabric more stiff, as it cuts better for me :D:D:D
I do not like to use fabric softener, I do a lot of fusible applique, and sometimes the fusible doesn't stick as well to the fabric. I also like the fabric more stiff, as it cuts better for me :D:D:D
#25
I wash with hot water, a bit of detergent, a color catcher on a light cycle. I'll pop it in the dryer if it's real damp. Otherwise, it dries as I iron it, fold it then store with the rest of the stash.
Anything smaller than a FQ (some shops I get scraps from) I soak in a tub with a bit of soap, rinse and lay on a towel before ironing. Other times, I just sort and throw the scraps in with the rest. Just depends on time and if I'm doing other fabrics then too.
Anything smaller than a FQ (some shops I get scraps from) I soak in a tub with a bit of soap, rinse and lay on a towel before ironing. Other times, I just sort and throw the scraps in with the rest. Just depends on time and if I'm doing other fabrics then too.
#28
Wash & dry it the minute I walk in the door with new fabric.
I use soap and wash & dry it just like you would wash a quilt that gets daily use.
Then I never have to worry about how the recipient might launder it. Also I do many QFK so they have to be washed before they can be distributed. And QFK get heavy laundering in hospital laundry
I use soap and wash & dry it just like you would wash a quilt that gets daily use.
Then I never have to worry about how the recipient might launder it. Also I do many QFK so they have to be washed before they can be distributed. And QFK get heavy laundering in hospital laundry
#29
I use to not wash but recently became a convert, don't know why. I think I like working with washed fabric better. I iron when I'm ready to sew since I use starch and don't want to invite bugs. Since I only recently started washing, I have a huge stash of unwashed, it's really getting hard to keep the two separated. I would not want unwashed and washed in the same quilt. My sewing room looks like a bomb went off. Only fellow quilters would understand.
#30
Originally Posted by quilterella
Many wash their fabric as soon as they get home with laundry detergent, dry it , iron it and put it away. That way it is ready to use when you want it. Personally, I don't prewash because I'm too lazy and so far I have never had a problem with shrinkage or colours bleeding.
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