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  1. #1
    mom4him's Avatar mom4him is offline Senior Member
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    Default Pre washing no longer advised?

    I am off to purchase fabric for my two youngers quilt today. I know that when you get the precut fabrics you can prewash. I am planning on getting yardages. Do I go ahead and prewash them? It would be so much easier, less time consuming if I could just go ahead and cut but wondering what is advised?

    You ladies are a wealth of information. I have so enjoyed this board.

    Blessings,
    Sandy

  2. #2
    4 Patch Pro

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    Default Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

    I do not wash my fabric and it does ok--I think it is a personal preference.

  3. #3
    dwil23 is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

    I have done both, and for me, at least, I see prewashing as a waste of time and energy. Others will disagree, but I don't anymore. And, I have used both unwashed and prewashed in the same quilt with no problem. I like the stiffness of the unwashed fabric - I think it's easier to cut and sew on. The two exceptions would be flannel, which does shrink and fabrics I would be afraid might bleed.

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  5. #4
    Madeforyouinma11's Avatar Madeforyouinma11 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

    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.

  6. #5
    scrappyquilter is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

    Quote Originally Posted by mom4him View Post
    I am off to purchase fabric for my two youngers quilt today. I know that when you get the precut fabrics you can prewash. I am planning on getting yardages. Do I go ahead and prewash them? It would be so much easier, less time consuming if I could just go ahead and cut but wondering what is advised?

    You ladies are a wealth of information. I have so enjoyed this board.

    Blessings,
    Sandy
    HI Sandy,
    Unless it is a darker color no need to wash -- I heard an instructor say when you steam the sewn pieces--it mini washes them anyway. the 1st time you wash the finished quilt--any shrinkage wil ltake place at the same time--so no worry.

    Prewashing strips is messy & then you have to starch them so they lay flat--a lot of work.

  7. #6
    SittingPretty is offline Junior Member
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    Default Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

    Quote Originally Posted by scrappy quilter View Post
    HI Sandy,
    Unless it is a darker color no need to wash -- I heard an instructor say when you steam the sewn pieces--it mini washes them anyway. the 1st time you wash the finished quilt--any shrinkage wil ltake place at the same time--so no worry.

    Prewashing strips is messy & then you have to starch them so they lay flat--a lot of work.
    You're so right about it being messy and time consuming! I was thinking the other day about the clothes I've made for myself. I never pre-washed any of that fabric. Now I put all my quilting fabric in the washer & dryer, I have to clip off all the threads, and then starch, starch, starch to get them ready to cut. Beginning to see the light. I think I'll stop pre-washing, except for some reds, blacks and other colors that might bleed, and say myself a ton of time and mess. Thank you all for your observations!

  8. #7
    SittingPretty is offline Junior Member
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    Default Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

    Quote Originally Posted by scrappy quilter View Post
    HI Sandy,
    Unless it is a darker color no need to wash -- I heard an instructor say when you steam the sewn pieces--it mini washes them anyway. the 1st time you wash the finished quilt--any shrinkage wil ltake place at the same time--so no worry.

    Prewashing strips is messy & then you have to starch them so they lay flat--a lot of work.
    You're so right about it being messy and time-consuming. I was thinking the other day about the clothes I've made. I never pre-washed any of that fabric. Why do I do it with quilting fabric? I think I'll still pre-wash reds, blacks and any other colors that might bleed, but it will sure save a lot of time not pre-washing the others. Thank you all for your observations!

  9. #8
    SittingPretty is offline Junior Member
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    Default Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

    Oops! Sorry about the double post. I thought the first one had been deleted.

  10. #9
    Cat n bull's Avatar Cat n bull is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

    I used to pre wash everything too, then I had to use some unwashed fabric in a quilt mixed with pre-washed, and there was not a single bit of difference.

    I used to also prefer the way washed fabric handled, but now that I am quilting, it IS easier to cut and sew unwashed. I am a creature of habit and like familiarity, but let me say that I VERY quickly became familiar to sewing with unwashed fabric!

    And there is no noticeable difference in the wrinkliness of the finished quilt either way after it's washed and dried. Most of today's quilting cottons shrink very minimally, so don't worry your quilt won't look as 'quilty' if you do wash first.
    Cathryn

  11. #10
    Madeforyouinma11's Avatar Madeforyouinma11 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Pre washing no longer advised?

    If you use "color catchers" when you wash your quilts you won't have to prewash even the colors . I've put red and white in the wash with a color catcher and had no problems. I made a purple and cream quilt and no problems with that one either.


    Quote Originally Posted by SittingPretty View Post
    You're so right about it being messy and time-consuming. I was thinking the other day about the clothes I've made. I never pre-washed any of that fabric. Why do I do it with quilting fabric? I think I'll still pre-wash reds, blacks and any other colors that might bleed, but it will sure save a lot of time not pre-washing the others. Thank you all for your observations!

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