What does a non-pre-washed fat quarter make a quilt look like?

[coffeebreak]

I know it is preference as to pre washing pre cuts like fat quarters. However, when I pre wash things, there is some shrinkage as when I fold the washed/dried item, matching the salvages...the fold is wonky. So to make an even fold, I have to allow the salvages to be crooked(not matched evenly) and then start the cutting. So obviously there is shrinkage somehow in the yardage. Now just cause it is a pre cut, doens't mean this will not happen...they have a salvage also. And when washed...odds are these non pre washed fabric will shrink somehow/where and that will make the quilt have that puckered look. I like that some times, but other times it looks out of place...like the quilt is wrinkled and is not appealing.

I just bought 2 sets of FQ's when they were on sale and got the little stars and little dots from CT and they are beautiful prints and colors and I want to create with them. I usually put them in a lingerie bag. But last time I did that with some I had, they got all wrinkled and wadded up together. No big deal really as I just ironed them out but still...I would rather that not happen. And rather not have that extra work on 48 fat quarters... and I also got 48 cake layers!

So what I'd like to hear from those that DO NOT prewash fat quarters....when the quilt is done, how do the areas you used the FQ's on .. look? How does the whole quilt look if the FQ's are not pre washed and now have done any shrinking they will do? I also am cautious of colors bleeding, but have been using the color catchers and they seem to do great so if I decide not to pre wash, I know those would cover the bleeding.. (unless I use red..then it is pre wash a few times!) But if anyone has any experience with cutting pieces of non pre washed fat quarters..please share and if you have them..post a close up picture.

I assume they cut and sew fine, but if that is a problem due to no pre washing... share that experience if you would. I have my "to do" list for next year in the making and these fat quarters as so awesome, I want to use them right away! Thanks for your comments

[ilive2craft2]

I don't pre-wash anything....

[coffeebreak]

I don't pre-wash anything....

Do you ever have any problems with how the fabric looks in the finished quilt after it is washed? Does it distort in any way? I am thinking maybe the smaller the pre cut, the less chance of shrinkage, but maybe not. I pre wash everything just to cover everything in the beginning and not have it tarnish the finished quilt.

[PeggyM]

I don't pre-wash anything....

Nor do I. All fabrics start on an even playing field. Tonight I washed a quilt for my niece with questionable black backing. The color catchers (3) did the trick.

[ilive2craft2]

I try to use good quality fabric and if there is shrinkage, it is similar throughout the quilt - have not seen any distortions. When I have used cheaper fabric for projects, such as pillowcases, I have seen some distortion and shrinkage. Some of my quilts have been washed numerous times - they were kid quilts and get washed a lot and no problems. I do give a color catcher with my projects - pillowcases or quilts. Just bought a box so that I can give them with the pillowcases for the kids tomorrow.

Sometimes I think the selvages are part of the distortion problem when pre-washing- it is a different weave than the rest, so could be part of the distortion as it would shrink differently. If you want to pre-wash, I would cut off the selvage. The precuts don't have selvages, so they should not distort either.

[SiobhanF]

I pre-shrink with starch and by pressing with steam. I don't prewash. I like the antique kind of wrinkled look, so it doesn't bother me if the fabric shrinks a bit more after being quilted. I always do a post-quilting/binding wash, before giving a quilt to its next owner...

[easyquilts]

I never pre-wash anything anymore.... The quilts look just fine... I wash them in cold water, and dry them on perm. press. Shrinkage is minimal...

[coffeebreak]

I try to use good quality fabric and if there is shrinkage, it is similar throughout the quilt - have not seen any distortions. When I have used cheaper fabric for projects, such as pillowcases, I have seen some distortion and shrinkage. Some of my quilts have been washed numerous times - they were kid quilts and get washed a lot and no problems. I do give a color catcher with my projects - pillowcases or quilts. Just bought a box so that I can give them with the pillowcases for the kids tomorrow.

Sometimes I think the selvages are part of the distortion problem when pre-washing- it is a different weave than the rest, so could be part of the distortion as it would shrink differently. If you want to pre-wash, I would cut off the selvage. The precuts don't have selvages, so they should not distort either.

Well, now I hadn't thought about that...the salvages are very different weave than the rest of the fabric. That very well could be where the problem is. The first wash of a finished quilt...and none of your quilts have that pucker effect?

[coffeebreak]

I pre-shrink with starch and by pressing with steam. I don't prewash. I like the antique kind of wrinkled look, so it doesn't bother me if the fabric shrinks a bit more after being quilted. I always do a post-quilting/binding wash, before giving a quilt to its next owner...

So you starch and press then cut? The steam does any shrinking? I hadn't heard about that before. Do you get that "antique" kind of wrinkle all the time? I only like that on certain styles of quilts...very rarely. I know it looks antique-y, but most of the time to me, it just looks wrinkled! I feel all my work is inferior when I see wrinkles!

[coffeebreak]

I try to use good quality fabric and if there is shrinkage, it is similar throughout the quilt - have not seen any distortions. When I have used cheaper fabric for projects, such as pillowcases, I have seen some distortion and shrinkage. Some of my quilts have been washed numerous times - they were kid quilts and get washed a lot and no problems. I do give a color catcher with my projects - pillowcases or quilts. Just bought a box so that I can give them with the pillowcases for the kids tomorrow.

Sometimes I think the selvages are part of the distortion problem when pre-washing- it is a different weave than the rest, so could be part of the distortion as it would shrink differently. If you want to pre-wash, I would cut off the selvage. The precuts don't have selvages, so they should not distort either.

I buy Calico Keepsakes prints and Kona and Legacy Studio solids at Joann's Crafts...98% of the time. I don't buy online often as it is to expensive. Sadly, my budget dictates what I buy. Plus I have had bad experience in the colors I see on screen are different than the actual color. Just happened when I bought some thread, although no big deal, I can always use most colors, but in a fabric...usually you need the exact color. But on the FQ's and charms etc...I don't really like charms for other than making HST's and to teach my grand daughter quilting. But the fat quarters are a nice size for many things.