Prewashing batting
#1
Prewashing batting
Does anyone prewash cotton batting. I just finished a 38.5" table topper and after I washed it, it now measures 36.25 inches. It doesn't appear that the fabric has shrunk, mainly the batting. If you do wash it, how do you do it. In machine or by hand. Thanks Lylamarie
#2
I have never pre-washed my batting and have not had any problems. I use mainly warm n natural cotton. Could it be the brand you bought? I will be watching to see if others have had issues with that much shrinkage.
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
you can purchase batting that does not shrink- many people use fusable fleece or the thinnest batting they can find for table toppers-
most batts do have instructions on the packaging for pre-shrinking if you really feel it's necessary
also the more quilting done the less shrinkage occurs....so densly quilting will keep shrinkage to a minimum.
what ever batting you have you should follow the instructions on the package though- they are all different- and i could tell you one way-and your batting could come out shredded- a horrible mess-
i never ever deal with pre-shrinking- i read the packages before i buy them and buy the one that works best for my project
i usually make runners for my mom & aunt- they like them to stay really flat- i use inexpensive single sided flannel i pick up for $1 a yard- that i do pre-wash- and dry in a hot dryer- then i use it for batting- works out great.
different batts shrink different amounts- or not at all- and have different (lofts) , quilting recommendations- choose the batt that works best for your project-
the packaging contains a wealth of information (including pre-shrinking instructions)
most batts do have instructions on the packaging for pre-shrinking if you really feel it's necessary
also the more quilting done the less shrinkage occurs....so densly quilting will keep shrinkage to a minimum.
what ever batting you have you should follow the instructions on the package though- they are all different- and i could tell you one way-and your batting could come out shredded- a horrible mess-
i never ever deal with pre-shrinking- i read the packages before i buy them and buy the one that works best for my project
i usually make runners for my mom & aunt- they like them to stay really flat- i use inexpensive single sided flannel i pick up for $1 a yard- that i do pre-wash- and dry in a hot dryer- then i use it for batting- works out great.
different batts shrink different amounts- or not at all- and have different (lofts) , quilting recommendations- choose the batt that works best for your project-
the packaging contains a wealth of information (including pre-shrinking instructions)
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
I pre-shrink batting( unless its poly) for tablerunners . I soak in the washingmachine overnight , and spin, then dry . I use mostly Warm and Natural for runners as I prefer the structure of this batting for runners, and it will take pre-shrinking well.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 345
I really don't care for the crinkly "old fashioned look" for the quilts I make for children so I pre-shrink everything. I very heavily spritz the batting with H2O and then put it into a zipper plastic bag overnight to make sure that the moisture is evenly dispersed and then dry in dryer on med-high heat.
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