pre washing fabric

[sewsoft]

How do you pre wash fabrics for quilting? I'm new to this. Do you wash it like you do your normal laundry?

[quiltingtrish]

Re: pre washing fabric

I use regular laundry detergent - wash and dry. I assume that is how the person I am giving it to will do it. I do use a color sheet though just to make sure nothing bleeds. The reds and purples are the biggest colors you want to be careful with. I never wash any precuts before I sew them, but always wash before I give the finished item to anybody.
You will probably get lots of opinions on this.

Hugs,

[Eaglefeather_Indiana]

Re: pre washing fabric

I always prewash any fabric. I do it the same way I would any clothing

[debinmalaga]

Re: pre washing fabric

I wash the item after sewing it, but I don't prewash my fabric.

[debi weaver]

Re: pre washing fabric

Ditto - I wash all my fabrics just as I would do regular laundry, or the shortest cycle (30 min total) I also match colors and put a color sheet in with reds and dark colors. I buy quite a bit of fabric and wash all the "likes" at a time. If you need to just do a small amount, little pieces could just be rinsed by hand with a little detergent, and steamed iron to dry quickly. I find this is a really easy method, and doesn't take long at all.
Just always have washed fabrics purchased...I understand most fabrics are dipped in formaldehyde to preserve color and make them not fade in store lights - good to wash that off, if for no other reason. Debi

[mbrwfy]

Re: pre washing fabric

How do you pre wash fabrics for quilting? I'm new to this. Do you wash it like you do your normal laundry?

I usually don't pre-wash my fabric for the very reason Debi stated, most fabrics are treated with some type of chemical to help preserve them. This is very good when your store your fabric, because it helps keep things from deteriorating. Its also very good in quilts that are designed to be wall hangings, because it helps cut down on UV damage. But its not so good for quilts that are designed to be "loved to death" with use. If its for someone's bed or sofa, the fabric needs to be washed. In these cases, I think its better to wash before cutting.

- Mary

[toggpine]

Re: pre washing fabric

I run the fabrics on a short wash cycle with about half the detergent I'd use in a regular load. I used to throw all of the fabric in the dryer for a short while, and then iron it the last bit dry to keep the big wrinkles out. Since my dryer started eating my fabric and leaving large rust marks and bites, I just lay it out to dry. If the weather is nice, I'll hang it out in the shade to dry. I run a narrow serge or overcast stitch down the cut edge of the fabrics to keep them from raveling in the wash.
I DO NOT pre-wash the pre-cuts. I have heard the horror stories from some of the ladies on here who have. Not a pretty thing.

[Jess1377]

Re: pre washing fabric

How do you pre wash fabrics for quilting? I'm new to this. Do you wash it like you do your normal laundry?

I always wash the fabric before i use it and since I have a dryer that behaves and does not eat my fabric I toss it in there and it comes out in a big old tangled lump and i will iron it out and fold it selvages together nice and neatly so I can use it when I need it later. It can be alot of work but work gotten out of the way when I want to use the fabric is better in my mind. I agree with a post above that I will not wash precut fabrics because they can turn into a thready knotted sad mess. I do use less than the normal amount of detergent but no special type of detergent in particular. I havent used color catching sheets, but intend to get them one day. I wash all my fabrics in cold water with like colors and as far as drying I use a low heat.

if you dont want to iron your fabrics out of the dryer still fold your fabric selvages together like they have it folded in stores on the bolt.

[bakermom]

Re: pre washing fabric

I rarely prewash my fabric. When I do, I handle it the same as I expect to care for the finished item.

[suzette58]

Re: pre washing fabric

I wash the quilt when I am finished with it. As others said here you might want to use the color sheets when you use reds, purples, etc. I am finishing a quilt for someone and since I was sure that it had been washed I did pre-wash the backing fabric.

[Blondie]

Re: pre washing fabric


I have done both ways - pre wash and afterwards. I prefer the look and feel of a crinkly quilt when it is washed after being pieced and quilted. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule; just personal preference. When I am making an item of clothing, I always prewash the fabric because I know it will most likely shrink a bit.
And I do use the color grabber sheets when I remember to. When I haven't and had a bleeding issue, I just use those pieces in strips for a primitive look. LOL. I don't waste much.