Hi Guest, Welcome to the quilting forums, register now —or—

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11
Like Tree3Likes

Thread: pre washing

  1. #1
    BarbGalloway is offline Junior Member
    Fabric Fanatic

    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    9
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default pre washing

    I hear so many times that you must wash the material before you start to sew. I have done it both ways. However, when you buy the pre-cut fabric I don't see that you can really wash it before you sew. So, advice from those of you that have been doing this for a while? Wash first or not and what about the pre-cuts?

  2. #2
    K. McEuen's Avatar K. McEuen is online now Moderator
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    12,722
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: pre washing

    I would never wash precuts. I no longer prewash any fabrics, except flannel, and that is because it usually shrinks. If you are concerned about colors bleeding, get some Color Catchers, sold in the laundry aisle. Toss one or two in with a new quilt and wash, no problems with bleeding colors.

    BTW, some people will suggest washing precuts by stuffing them in a sock or a lingere bag, but the whole thing with precuts is they are supposed to make your quilting life easier, why bother with all that when you don't have to?
    K is for Karen

    Cremation - My last hope for a smokin' hot body.



    Looking for easier access to MSQC Tutorials? Check my User Notes.

  3. #3
    auntiemern's Avatar auntiemern is online now Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Just outside of St. Louis in rural Missouri
    Posts
    12,729
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: pre washing

    What Karen said.
    You should check out our FB Group

    The Quilting Cupboard https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltingcupboard//

    Blankets wrap you in warmth, quilts wrap you in love

    Marilyn......

  4. #4
    brook's Avatar brook is offline Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Redlands, California
    Posts
    2,205
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: pre washing

    As Karen said, precuts are not suppose to be washed. The quality of fabric that you would find at M*QC won't give you bleeding problems. I don't wash any other fabrics that I use with them and haven't had any problems. : )
    Coleen

    "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good I can do, or any kindness I can show, let me do now, for I will not pass through this way again."

  5. #5
    slamb13's Avatar slamb13 is offline Senior Member
    The Guild President

    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    721
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: pre washing

    I never wash precuts, but do wash most/all of my yardage. That is mainly because I buy from thrift stores or yard sales, so that MUST be prewashed. I haven't had a problem mixing prewashed yardage with unwashed precuts because it all shrinks a bit anyway after it's all bound and the batting goes through the washer for the first time. I think it's just your personal preference on whether or not to wash yardage, but don't wash the precuts for sure! The edges get frayed (don't ask me how I know!!!!!)


    Susan
    ---Susan---

    "When life gives you scraps - make a quilt!"

  6. #6
    coffeebreak's Avatar coffeebreak is offline Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    3,199
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: pre washing

    Quote Originally Posted by BarbGalloway View Post
    I hear so many times that you must wash the material before you start to sew. I have done it both ways. However, when you buy the pre-cut fabric I don't see that you can really wash it before you sew. So, advice from those of you that have been doing this for a while? Wash first or not and what about the pre-cuts?
    With pre cuts, I put them in a lingerie bag and wash them that way. Helps keep them from wrinkling so much and being pulled out of shape and from clinging to something else only to be found later. These bags are cheap (at the Dollar Store) and I use the large size for a whole stack of charms or fat quarters. However, I did buy 2 so I split the pre cuts.

    Also, I used to use a huge safety pin and pin about 10 together and wash them that way also, but they didn't dry well. I'd pin at the top and they'd get all wrinkled, so I pinned top and bottom, and they washed fine, but in the dryer, they were to close together, stuck together with thewater etc, and they didn't dry with the cycle so the lingerie bag works best in my view..easier too!

  7. #7
    BarbGalloway is offline Junior Member
    Fabric Fanatic

    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    9
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: pre washing

    Again, thank you everyone for your answers. This is a terrific forum. I wish we could all get together and sew, sew, sew.

  8. #8
    Lisapc's Avatar Lisapc is offline Senior Member
    Missouri Star

    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Tyngsboro, MA
    Posts
    7,725
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: pre washing

    Flannel and denim shrink so they get pre washed. Quilting fabric from a quilt shop never gets washed. The process is different than it used to be and it isn't necessary. The shrinkage is about 2-3% tops so there is just no reason. Jenny says never wash a precut, so I never wash a precut.
    Lisa

    Please treat others as you would hope others would treat those you love.


    [/COLOR]

  9. #9
    pamipatch is offline Senior Member
    The Guild President

    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Gold Coast, Qld, Australia
    Posts
    728
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: pre washing

    Ditto Karen!!

    Never wash precuts, only flannel.

    If you use steam to press all your fabrics before cutting them out, and precuts, you'll preshrink them that way. I ALWAYS do this, even if I don't use steam again during the piecing process, and have NEVER had any fabric in a quilt top shrink during or after assembly.

    Cheers, Pami

  10. #10
    Dragonomine's Avatar Dragonomine is offline Member
    4 Patch Pro

    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Central Pa
    Posts
    45
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: pre washing

    Quote Originally Posted by K. McEuen View Post
    I would never wash precuts. I no longer prewash any fabrics, except flannel, and that is because it usually shrinks. If you are concerned about colors bleeding, get some Color Catchers, sold in the laundry aisle. Toss one or two in with a new quilt and wash, no problems with bleeding colors.

    BTW, some people will suggest washing precuts by stuffing them in a sock or a lingere bag, but the whole thing with precuts is they are supposed to make your quilting life easier, why bother with all that when you don't have to?
    Ditto here. If I'm using cotton fabric then I don't wash until it's completely done. Yes, it will shrink but I really like the pucker effect.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •