Washing does seem to crinkle up a quilt -
#1
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,666
Washing does seem to crinkle up a quilt -
I was talking to someone and she told me that she had a special quilt custom quilted.
After it was washed, it just crinkled up and a lot of the detail of the quilting was no longer discernible.
(Which does go with the - "after it's quilted, no one will notice small imperfections")
Do people that exhibit quilts wash them before showing?
If yes, how do they get them "flat" again"
I prefer a "flattish" look - and my quilts are "fairly flat" after washing and drying them, but I do not have the inclination or space to block them.
Could they be "pressed/ironed" flat to sort of look "new" if i was so inclined?
After it was washed, it just crinkled up and a lot of the detail of the quilting was no longer discernible.
(Which does go with the - "after it's quilted, no one will notice small imperfections")
Do people that exhibit quilts wash them before showing?
If yes, how do they get them "flat" again"
I prefer a "flattish" look - and my quilts are "fairly flat" after washing and drying them, but I do not have the inclination or space to block them.
Could they be "pressed/ironed" flat to sort of look "new" if i was so inclined?
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,548
I do wash my quilts and put them in the dryer until just damp. I then spread them out on the carpet in my spare room to finish drying. I will sometimes use rust proof pins along the binding to stretch and block a quilt to the carpet if it needs it.
#3
Imho, I think it really depends on the batting used as far as crinkly vintage look vs remaining relatively flat with the design more visible. When I use cotton I get the more crinkly/vintage look that I like, but when I use polyester batting the quilt design is more visible. I’m sure someone with far more expertise will chime in and give better info.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,269
I believe most quilts aren't washed before being entered in a show. I don't see how one could be flattened out again once washed. I also would prefer a flatter look, but my quilts always crinkle even though I preshrink my batting and fabric and dry flat (but I have not tried polyester batting).
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,753
I don't wash quilts before showing them. If they need to be blocked I wet them with room temp water and pin them to my design wall to dry. That way they don't get crinkled and the quilting really stands out.
Rob
Rob
Last edited by rryder; 04-28-2019 at 01:48 PM.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Tulsa, Ok
Posts: 4,582
I have been told not to wash a quilt before entering in a show. I also prefer a less crinkly look, so I prewash all fabrics and prewash batting and dry in a hot dryer to minimize shrinkage after using it in a quilt. Although I prefer the weight and feel of cotton batting, I find poly batting stays much flatter too.
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