Washing vs Not Washing New Fabric

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04-30-2013, 06:20 AM

#11

mighty

Power Poster

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Upland CA

Posts: 18,376

I agree I prewash, if it is going to fade, shrink I want to know before it is in my quilt.

04-30-2013, 06:38 AM

#12

Scissor Queen

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2009

Location: Southwest Kansas

Posts: 4,820

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juzsayin

I usually wash my new fabric when making quilts, but last time fabric came out looking faded and dingy, even though I just put through a delicate rinse cycle. My question is: Can you get the same result as washing (shrinkage, loss of stiffness) through steam ironing? Thanks

My answer is yes and no. I don't use a steam iron but I spray my fabric with water or Best Press until it's fairly damp and then iron. My iron is waaaaaaaaay hotter than the dryer and it's the dryer that shrinks your fabric, not the washer. What you don't lose is the stiffness. But I don't want to work with limp fabric. I like my fabric nice and crisp to work with. If it fades it fades.

05-01-2013, 05:37 AM

#13

Pamela M

Member

Join Date: Nov 2012

Posts: 15

I wash all my fabric by hand as soon as I buy it, gently but in very, very warm soapy water. It's mainly to get rid of any excess dye that the odd red or green will have. And if they are starting to throw a bit of dye I will make it hot water. And to let it shrink a bit if it wants to. I only buy at the quilt shops, and I find that it is surprising to find out what materials you won't be buying anymore and what are lovely. I don't think of it as a chore but as a getting to know you kind of exercise....