Re: Prewashing 2-1/2" Strips???
Yeah, I had never heard of color catchers before I joined this forum. Now I use them at the time I wash the completed quilts "just in case." And, like everyone said, never wash your pre-cuts. I am also in agreement that you do not have to pre-wash your fabric prior to quilting, but it's your own personal preference that matters.
Enjoy your first quilt!
Re: Prewashing 2-1/2" Strips???
NO NO NO do not prewash! And lucky me, my DD works at S.C. Johnson Co. who makes Color Catchers and I can get them practically for free!
Re: Prewashing 2-1/2" Strips???
I use color catchers and give one with every quilt/table runner/ etc. that I give away, along with a note to wash in cold water and use this color catcher.
Re: Prewashing 2-1/2" Strips???
I pre-wash NO fabric! Your pre-cuts will be ruined if you attempt to wash them. I wash the quilt after it's pieced & quilted. I do not use color catchers, due to the strong fragrance.
Re: Prewashing 2-1/2" Strips???
Pre-washing pre-cuts reduces their effective sizes. Aggitation in the washer causes the edges to fray up to 1/4" on each side, and there is usally some shrinkage. After washing several 10" squares and removing the frayed edges, I found that I could cut 9 1/4" - 9 1/2" squares from the pieces. Strips are a totally different experience. They knot themselves into complex wads, and threads from the frayed edges tangle up with any free thread they can find. Do not pre-wash strips unless you have the patience for a great detangling puzzle.
I don't pre-wash new pre-cuts that I purchase. However, I acquire a lot of second hand fabrics (scraps, remnants, etc.) with unknown storage histories that I use in scrap quilts. I wash all second hand fabric before I use it, even if the pieces are tiny scraps.
Re: Prewashing 2-1/2" Strips???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jjkaiser
NO NO NO do not prewash! And lucky me, my DD works at S.C. Johnson Co. who makes Color Catchers and I can get them practically for free!
Really? Can I order a couple cases from you? lol We don't have them anymore up here in Canada. I could sell them in my shop easily.
Re: Prewashing 2-1/2" Strips???
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Denis
Really? Can I order a couple cases from you? lol We don't have them anymore up here in Canada. I could sell them in my shop easily.
Wow Denis, that is so strange. Color catchers are such a useful product. Do you have any idea why they are no longer sold in Canada? Even before I started quilting I found and started using them because I was single again and wanted to mix laundry loads with no mishaps. So the market is broader than quilters.
Re: Prewashing 2-1/2" Strips???
I swear by them in a TOP loading washer. BUT...NOT in a FRONT loading washer. Unless anyone else has had good luck using them in a front loading washer. I ruined a quilt that had red in it. Next time I'm taking my quilt to the laundry mat to wash.