What do you think, to wash or not wash?
01-16-2011, 08:46 AM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SE Pennsylvania
Posts: 620
I'm a scrappy quilter mostly so I wash everything as it comes in the door. That way, I don't have to worry about bleeding or whether I'm mixing washed and unwashed. When I feel like putting something together I simply grab stash and cut knowing it will all behave in the same way. Even if it's a kit I wash because leftovers get trimmed up and go into stash bins. I have had bleeders and once is enough. I don't have the output of most of the quilters on this list, so for me having one quilt ruined after much thoughtful work is really too dispiriting.
Diana
Diana
01-16-2011, 09:03 AM
#42
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Lake Elsinore, CA
Posts: 15,183
I wash all my fabric as soon as I get it, except for fabric that I intend to use as a OBW. From what I've heard, CT kits consist of yardage, not pre-cut pieces, and they are generous with the fabric so they can be washed.
01-16-2011, 10:25 AM
#45
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,467
Originally Posted by johans
I wash everything as it comes into the house. I like to know exactly what that fabric is going to look/feel like when it's in a quilt. I get the fabric finish off and any chemicals that are in the product. When I'm ready to do a quilt, I put the fabric into the washer with starch solution, spin it out, partially dry, and iron. The iron FLIES over the fabric. It feels like new fabric, keeps a good crease, and starch can be "reactivated" with a water spritz. I don't use canned spray for many reasons. For small pieces I keep a pump-spray bottle with 1 part starch to 4 parts distilled water -- perfect.
01-16-2011, 11:32 AM
#46
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 2
I purchased a kit from a quilt shop and asked about prewashing all material. She said the only thing that she washed were batiks as they were hand dyed. I purchased (elsewhere) two batik kits and instructions say to prewash. Well I did and several of the fat quarter pieces drew up considerably. The next time I think I will try without prewashing.
01-16-2011, 12:20 PM
#48
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Republic, Mo. Near Springfield
Posts: 113
When I first started I prewashed everything and ironed but I have always hated ironing and it was a chore. Now I prewash only the reds and blacks that I use and cut everything else with that crisp new fabric feel I do wash my quilts always use cold water, gentle soap and gentle cycle and low heat in the dryer. I have quilts that have been used for children's beds and washed many times still very sturdy and still colorful. Since I machine piece and have them machine quilted by a very good quilter they have proven very useful. My granddaughter has one of the first and uses it regularly for her daughter has lots of black and jade and bright colors and we still think it looks great.
01-16-2011, 01:58 PM
#50
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 51
Humm, tough question. Depends if it is a kit, although some kits- like the Jenny Beyer one I purchased stated to pre-wash.
If the fabric doesn't run, then I be thinking I will not. I hate pre- washing fabrics! Takes me way to long to select my fabrics, then washing an drying. My vote would cast NOOO :thumbdown:
If the fabric doesn't run, then I be thinking I will not. I hate pre- washing fabrics! Takes me way to long to select my fabrics, then washing an drying. My vote would cast NOOO :thumbdown:
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