Who says there's no reason to pre-wash?
#122
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,585
When you use starch, make sure you use the fabric right away and don't store it. Silverfish and other buggy critters LOVE starch!
Another online group I belong to recently had this discussion about whether or not to prewash. One of the members there does some kind of work in the shipping industry and said she ALWAYS prewashes because she is well aware that a lot of the shipping conditions include exposure to rats and their feces. I know the fabric comes wrapped in plastic and packed in boxes, but it still gives me the heebie-jeebies!
Another online group I belong to recently had this discussion about whether or not to prewash. One of the members there does some kind of work in the shipping industry and said she ALWAYS prewashes because she is well aware that a lot of the shipping conditions include exposure to rats and their feces. I know the fabric comes wrapped in plastic and packed in boxes, but it still gives me the heebie-jeebies!
#123
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
Originally Posted by QuiltE
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
Harriet Hargrave doesn't pre-wash and that's good enough for me. Even if a quilt shrinks some after washing it'll still fit the bed.
Yes, you'd make it wider ... though how much would you factor in to compensate and know you still have a usable quilt?
You shouldn't make a quilt to just barely fit anyway. Batting shrinks too unless it's pre-shrunk. Beside even if a quilt shrinks some or even a lot it is still a perfectly useable quilt!
Pre-washing is for clothing construction!
#124
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 63
I do prewash all my fabrics in hot water with Synthrapol. Why because if you look at the fabric, all fabric is not created equal. Even those you purchase from the fabric store. Even those that come from (example only) Debby Mumm to Ro Gregg and many others. Have you ever sat to sew an had those little threads continuely pop out and have to cut before the whole row ravels. Fabrics come in tight weave to lesser weave and therefore need to be treated so that the possibility of little hand or big hands accidently hitting the hot on the washer cycle is covered. It's no big deal to iron afterwards and before cutting. I have had many shop owners say they don't wash their fabric. Each to her own.
#125
I agree. I would never wash a quilt in hot water, nor would I put it in the dryer and dry completley. I never pre wash my fabrics - per Harriet Hargrave. When a quilt of mine needs washing I wash gently for a few minutes, spin on high, shake and put in dryer for about 7 minutes. I then lay on a flat surface and let it air dry. Emily
#126
There seems to be alot of ideas about W or NW material. if you still get that wonderful crinkled look with washed fabric it's because the batting shrinks a little when washed, not the fabric! i like the crinkled look and the smooth look!It's all good!
#129
Originally Posted by M.I.Late
I know it's crazy - but I also pre-wash my batting. I don't like the wrinkled look, so I pre-wash everything. I like it to look newer as long as possible.
#130
I prewash my batting, too. I don't want it to shrink after its quilted. Good thought about the bed bugs. I didn't think of that!
I pre wash my batting for the same reason. I also don't want to find any bedbugs imported with my fabrics so I prewash everything. I do have a huge basket of scraps that are mixed washed and not washed that I am making a pinwheel quilt out of. I don't really care if it shrinks evenly or not when I do wash it because it is just for making an extra lap quilt for myself.
Originally Posted by watson's mom
Originally Posted by M.I.Late
I know it's crazy - but I also pre-wash my batting. I don't like the wrinkled look, so I pre-wash everything. I like it to look newer as long as possible.
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