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February 7th, 2013, 02:07 PM
#11
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Pre washing no longer advised?
Hi. I'm afraid I have a different opinion from everyone else.
First, I don't think it's a good idea at all to wash pre-cuts. They are so precisely cut that any shredding of the edges in the washer would be a major headache and could really ruin any quilt you had planned for them.
Having said that, though, I do always pre-wash my yardage. There are two reasons: Once I had a mixture of pre-washed and unwashed high quality Asian fabric that I was going to use in a One Block Wonder (you have to have six exact repeats of your fabric to make a hexagon). I couldn't get them to match -- and discovered a two inch difference in the WOF between the washed and unwashed. So despite having bought expensive fabric at a high end quilt shop, I definitely had shrinkage.
But here's the most important reason I pre-wash yardage -- especially for younger quilters. Virtually all fabric is manufactured overseas, and they do not have the same environmental standards that we do in the United States. They use some pretty harsh chemicals on their fabrics, including formaldehyde. Not only that, but you just don't know what little bugs and critters might have embedded themselves from far away.
So in your case, buying this fabric for youngsters, I highly recommend pre-washing.
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February 7th, 2013, 02:11 PM
#12
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Pre washing no longer advised?
I don't like the smell of the dye, sizing, or whatever it is. I pre-wash for that.
I have also found that it helps me line up the grain better when I fold it to cut. If you do decide to pre-wash, here are several things to consider.
Run a line of stitching down the edge with a short stitch length. (Practice your 1/4" seam line?!?!) A serger works great, and some folks report that clipping the corners off of the edges keeps the fabric from fraying in the wash. If you do get a string ball, cut it off while the fabric is wet, before you put it in the dryer, it will keep the fabric from wrinkling in the shape. It won't usually fray any more.
Pull the fabric out of the dryer a little damp. It will iron out as nicely as anything.
I haven't had a problem mixing washed & un-washed (pre-cuts especially) in a quilt either.
Happy quilting!
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February 7th, 2013, 03:01 PM
#13
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Pre washing no longer advised?
I never pre-wash my fabrics. I don't even do the blacks, reds or blues. I will use color catchers in the wash. I haven't heard if any of my quilts that I gave away had any problems. Good luck.
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February 7th, 2013, 03:06 PM
#14
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Pre washing no longer advised?
Never ever wash pre cuts. They are not meant to be washed. I never wash anything except flannel, and that is because of the extreme shrinking. I do use color catchers though the first time I wash a new quilt.
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February 7th, 2013, 03:14 PM
#15
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Pre washing no longer advised?
I am also a newbie and I pre-washed a bunch of pre-cuts that I bought...what a disaster! They frayed like mad and are completely out of shape. I will never pre-wash again, especially not pre-cuts.
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February 7th, 2013, 03:15 PM
#16
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

Originally Posted by
Madeforyouinma11
I don't wash my fabrics either. The only fabrics that I prewash is flannel. Flannel is a must because it will shrink more.
For regular fabrics it is a preference. If you don't prewash, you will get what I call the "quilt crinkle" after you wash and dry your quilt, which I love cause it makes the quilt look homey, and cozy.......But, if you do not like that look, pre washing your fabrics will lessen that effect.
I pre wash my fabrics for several reasons. I just wanted to say that even though I pre wash my fabrics I still get the "crinkley" look after I wash it before gifting.
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February 7th, 2013, 03:16 PM
#17
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

Originally Posted by
GuitarGramma
Hi. I'm afraid I have a different opinion from everyone else.
First, I don't think it's a good idea at all to wash pre-cuts. They are so precisely cut that any shredding of the edges in the washer would be a major headache and could really ruin any quilt you had planned for them.
Having said that, though, I do always pre-wash my yardage. There are two reasons: Once I had a mixture of pre-washed and unwashed high quality Asian fabric that I was going to use in a One Block Wonder (you have to have six exact repeats of your fabric to make a hexagon). I couldn't get them to match -- and discovered a two inch difference in the WOF between the washed and unwashed. So despite having bought expensive fabric at a high end quilt shop, I definitely had shrinkage.
But here's the most important reason I pre-wash yardage -- especially for younger quilters. Virtually all fabric is manufactured overseas, and they do not have the same environmental standards that we do in the United States. They use some pretty harsh chemicals on their fabrics, including formaldehyde. Not only that, but you just don't know what little bugs and critters might have embedded themselves from far away.
So in your case, buying this fabric for youngsters, I highly recommend pre-washing.
I'll just agree with this. I prewash even if I just buy 12 inch WOF. And press.
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February 7th, 2013, 03:20 PM
#18
Senior Member
Batting Beauty
Re: Pre washing no longer advised?
I truly loathe prewashing.
It's too much time and energy. Not to mention, we don't have a washer and dryer installed in this house yet, so everything has to go to the laundromat. At $6 just to wash a load....it's also cost prohibitive for us.
They only thing I do prewash is flannel.
However, I just did a flannel backed quilt with out prewashing. I guess I lucked out because I had no issues once I washed the completed top.
Oh, ETA: I do use color catchers when I wash, no matter the color combination of the quilt.
Last edited by SewCrazy4Quilts; February 7th, 2013 at 03:22 PM.
I'm a total fabriholic...please PM me if you are de-stashing!
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February 7th, 2013, 03:54 PM
#19
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Pre washing no longer advised?
This is a "it depends" answer. I am not allergic to any of the chemicals in the fabric. I also shoot for consistency which means that I either wash all of it or I wash none of it.
Batik tends to run so I wash ALL batiks before use.
When the colors of my new fabric are intense (reds, blues, purples, black) I tend to do a color test on a swatch. If it runs - or rubs off - when wet, I wash it. Otherwise, I may well make the quilt as is. I just did one in red-white-black that will get a few color catchers added to the wash - just in case.
Precuts get used as is. I do not want them to distort in the wash. If I have to spend a lot of time pressing and stretching the precut AFTER washing, then what is the point of buying precuts in the first place. I generally give them a good hit with steam.
Last edited by MartinaG; February 7th, 2013 at 03:59 PM.
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February 7th, 2013, 04:05 PM
#20
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: Pre washing no longer advised?
It comes into the house, gets dumped out of the shopping bag and onto the pile of laundry. ALL fabric is washed before I use it. If you give it to me as a gift, it is put directly in the laundry pile.
I want to know WHAT that fabric looks like after it's washed and before I invest time and effort into creating a quilt.
And all of the reasons stated above are why and how...
However, I do NOT iron after washing. Handpress as I fold to put away, ironed as I am ready to use it!